---
title: "Gareth Southgate Reveals His Reasons for Jordan Pickford England Call"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/southgate-explains-pickford-england-call/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-11-07T09:00:46Z"
modified: "2020-11-07T09:00:46Z"
---

# Gareth Southgate Reveals His Reasons for Jordan Pickford England Call

England manager [Gareth Southgate](https://readeverton.com/2020/11/06/gareth-southgate-right-to-keep-faith-in-pickford/) has offered an insight into his managerial style by publicly affirming his support for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – revealing that he made a compassionate phone call to the 26-year-old after the most recent Merseyside derby.

The 2-2 draw against Liverpool was marred by controversy after a lunge from Pickford severely injured Reds centre-back Virgil van Dijk, and the ‘keeper later [escaped a retrospective ban for the challenge](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/pickford-escapes-retrospective-action).

The [backlash and abuse](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8886403/Bodyguards-hired-protect-Jordan-Pickford-death-threats-Virgil-van-Dijk-tackle.html) Pickford then suffered as a result of his actions was understandably unnerving to the goalkeeper, who [subsequently hired extra security](https://readeverton.com/2020/10/28/everton-goalkeeper-hires-bodyguards-after-safety-fears/) for his family and his Cheshire residence.

Southgate wasted no time in explaining why he called Pickford, what was said and how highly he values the 26-year-old.

“I recognised it had been a very high-profile situation,” said Southgate, quoted by [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54833194).

“I just felt it would be an appropriate call to make to see how he was.”

“When people say I have been loyal to him he has deserved that.”

Southgate moved quickly to quash the idea that Pickford’s form and [recent benching by Carlo Ancelotti](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12120785/jordan-pickford-everton-goalkeeper-dropped-for-premier-league-game-at-newcastle) invalidated his contention for a call-up, citing his England displays.

> “His performances have been excellent for us and so that has not been a difficult decision for me.
>
> “We have some competition for places but I would have to say that there is nobody who I think is challenging seriously at the moment to push him out of that position.
>
> “I think he is also benefiting from as experienced and successful a manager as you can have at club level.
>
> “\[Ancelotti\] will deal with everything in a very calm manner and a very measured way, so even over the years he has taken an opportunity to rest his goalkeepers – and he did that last week – but within 15 minutes of that decision you knew Jordan would be playing this weekend.
>
> “Of course this has been a very difficult period for \[Pickford\] in terms of the spotlight on that particular challenge and because of the profile of the player involved in it, but it is disappointing to see a player like that miss football.”

### Read Everton Verdict

Southgate’s calm, reassuring and compassionate approach should go a long way to boosting Pickford’s confidence.

The England manager seems to hint that Pickford’s international performances will keep him holding down the number 1 shirt for the Three Lions’ upcoming fixtures and is acutely aware of the difficulties faced by the ‘keeper.

Perhaps a spell for England could help Pickford to regain his form, which in turn should be to Everton’s benefit.