Fabio Capello's Jordan Pickford feelings crystal clear as England keeper drops to bench - The Mirror

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was criticised by former Three Lions boss Fabio Capello earlier this year despite being one of the team's most consistent performers

Former England manager Fabio Capello has made no secret of the fact that he feels Jordan Pickford is 'sometimes a problem' for the Three Lions.

The Everton goalkeeper, 30, has established himself as England's No.1 stopper in recent years and has been one of the team's most consistent and reliable players.

He hasn't, though, managed to win everyone over. And after he was benched for Sunday's Nations League encounter with Finland, previous comments made by Capello - who spent five years in charge of England - questioning Pickford earlier this year resurfaced.

Speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid back in April, the Italian was asked to assess England's chances of glory at Euro 2024 and said: “I think at centre back [there’s] some problems and it’s not the same level as the other part of the team.

“Midfield is good, forwards are really good, right and left defenders is good. I have some doubts about these two centre backs [Harry Maguire and John Stones] and some doubts about the goalkeeper.”

He continued on Pickford: “Sometimes, he’s really, really good. Sometimes, it is the problem. I saw the game that they lost against Italy, the final at Wembley. After 20 minutes he started to shoot long ball. Is this fear?

“I prefer the ball is the other side and not close to me. For the defenders when you have a really good goalkeeper it is another thing. Confidence.”

Join the debate! Do you agree with Capello's comments on Pickford? Let us know here.

Although Pickford has been a reliable performer for England in recent years, he was below par in Thursday night's embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Greece at Wembley and Dean Henderson was given the nod for Sunday evening's meeting with Finland.

Interim boss Lee Carsley insisted that it was always the plan to give Henderson minutes in Helsinki, though, when he was quizzed about Pickford's absence pre-match.

He told ITV Sport: “We are looking for a reaction, we fell below the levels we expect. There was a case of getting a look at a few other players and we were always going to look at Dean Henderson in one of these games."

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