Hart: England Should Be Proud Of Pickford

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart believes Jordan Pickford, plus England and Everton, should be extremely “proud” of the shot-stopper's achievements as he gears up for another international tournament as the Three Lions’ No.1. 

England start their EURO 2024 campaign this Sunday 8pm (BST) as they take on Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. 

Pickford is in line to make his 62nd senior international appearance in that contest, taking him above former Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence and into fourth on the list of goalkeepers to have featured most for the Three Lions. 

Hart – who recently won the Scottish title with Celtic before announcing his retirement from football last month – sits joint-second on that list with David Seaman on 75 appearances. 

His praise for Pickford follows glowing comments on the Blues keeper from ex-Toffees and England forward Wayne Rooney who, when asked by Gary Neville for his choice on England's most important player, picked the man who delivers week in and week out for Everton.

“Jordan's been excellent since taking over the role as England No.1,” said Hart speaking exclusively to evertonfc.com. “He’s been really, really good in previous tournaments. 

“Every time he has been called upon, he has massively stepped up. I think he should be really proud of his achievements, and I think Everton as a club should be proud to have him as their No.1.”

Below is a numerical journey highlighting some of Pickford’s finest achievements for Everton and England so far… 

255 – Since Pickford’s Everton debut in 2017, no player across the league has played more Premier League matches than the Blues shot-stopper. 

13 - Pickford kept 13 Premier League clean sheets in 2023/24, with only Arsenal’s David Raya keeping more in the competition (16).

171 - Since Sean Dyche’s first game in charge of Everton against Arsenal in February 2023, only three players have made more saves in the Premier League than Pickford. 

7.74 - While in that time, based on xG, only Emiliano Martínez has prevented more goals than Pickford’s total of 7.74. 

11 - He has missed just 11 of Everton’s 228 Premier League games since joining the Club.

8 - Pickford sits eighth for all-time Everton Premier League appearances made, 10 behind Tony Hibbert in seventh. 

400 - Jordan Pickford completed more long passes (400) than any other player in the competition last season. 

62 - Pickford holds the record for most England caps ever by a player while playing for the Blues.

29 - He’s registered 29 clean sheets for the Three Lions. Only four goalkeepers have managed more for England.