PHOTO:AFP
Goalkeeping legend David Seaman has saluted Jordan Pickford’s top-quality distribution as he declared the Everton stopper has proven he is England’s number one “10 times over”.
Pickford produced another standout performance for his country on Monday night – playing a key role as his side secured a famous 3-2 victory over Spain.
The 24-year-old showcased his impressive passing range to devastating effect in Seville. Pickford launched attacks, which led to two England goals, as Southgate’s men ended the hosts’ 38-match unbeaten run on Spanish soil.
For the Three Lions’ opener at Estadio Benito Villamarín, Pickford’s fizzing long-range ball picked out Harry Kane just inside his own half. The Tottenham Hotspur man controlled instantly, played the ball wide to Marcus Rashford and his through pass allowed Raheem Sterling to slot home.
The Everton No.1 was the catalyst for England’s second on the night, too. After saving Thiago Alcantara’s 20-yard-effort, he instantly unleashed a fabulous, raking ball forward into Kane. The striker held the ball up before setting Rashford free, who applied the finish.
Sterling got his second and the Three Lions’ third before half-time and – while Luis Enrique’s men got two goals back after the break – England secured a first away triumph over Spain since 1987.
Seaman, who won 75 caps for his country in an international career that spanned 14 years, was thrilled by England’s display and believes the role of Pickford, who last month signed a new six-year contract with Everton, cannot be underestimated.
He admits, on occasion, the glovesman’s pinpoint passing takes the breath away.
“That passing weapon he has is so good and so threatening,” Seaman told evertonfc.com. “It’s not just a long ball, it is so accurate – and that’s what we saw against Spain.
“It makes you go, ‘Wow’.
“When he hits it, you think, ‘Where’s this going?’, but it ends up going straight to the man that he’s aiming for. That part of his distribution is amazing.
“In the Premier League, you’ve got three guys who are really good when it comes to their distribution. You’ve got the two Brazilian keepers – Ederson at Manchester City and Alisson at Liverpool – but they’re not as good as Jordan is with his long passes out of his hands.”
“It is the quickness with how he does it, too. As soon as he gets the ball you can see him straight away looking up and rushing to start an attack. It’s great to see. Not only does he see it, he actually executes it and does it with real class.
“It was great night all round against Spain. To go there and win 3-2 is a fantastic result – and I think that score flattered Spain. The way we played in the first half was superb.”
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