da bet esporte： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da doce： Sky Sports pundit Darren Bent has stated that he is unconvinced by Jordan Pickford’s command of the penalty area, after the Everton goalkeeper’s string of shaky performances.
What’s he said?
Pickford was once known for his commanding presence in the area, as he did not allow his tender age to prevent him from reacting fast to danger and displaying an authority over his centre-halves.
The Washington-born shot stopper’s fearless nature saw Pickford lauded in his early days as an Everton player, but the England number one’s days as a goalkeeper who is admired by many have dwindled, with Bent now suggesting his lack of communication has become a hindrance.
Bent has suggested that Pickford’s failure to adequately communicate with Yerry Mina and Michael Keane has been a key factor in why the Toffees currently sit inside the bottom three of the Premier League standings, as no player on the blue side of Stanley Park feel confident with him in between the sticks.
The ex-Aston Villa and Sunderland striker feels Pickford, who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, still tries to take command of the area, but his success at doing so is not to the same extent as it once was, with Everton shipping 13 goals in eight league games and losing five of their last six top-flight encounters.
Speaking with Football Insider, he said:
“I think he tries to [take command of the area], but that comes from uncertainty between the two centre-halves – the people in front of you – and himself.
“Balls are flying in the box left, right and centre and no one’s going and attacking it. No one’s putting their head on it, and then when your goalkeeper doesn’t come and get it, that puts that seed of doubt in everybody’s head.
“Every set play you’re like: ‘Oh god, here we go again, what’s going to happen now?'”
One part of a larger puzzle
Pickford no longer possessing the same command of his area, particularly at dead-ball situations, is just one part of a larger puzzle Marco Silva needs to solve for Everton to turn their fortunes around. Teams will see the Blues’ struggles to defend set-pieces as an easy way to score, should their current record continue for much longer.
The accepted grace period of Silva’s arrival last season has now wavered, but Everton have allowed more goals scored from set-pieces than any other Premier League side since the start of the 2018/19 campaign with 21 (WhoScored), five of which have come this term.
Part of the issue has stemmed from players not tracking runs in Silva’s preferred zonal marking system, with opponents able to break free at the back post to attempt an unimpeded effort on goal.
Pickford regaining his confidence to take control of Everton’s backline will not prevent that, but it will help deal with the ball when it’s initially crossed in.