Jordan Pickford has had a phenomenal start to his premier league career. The young shot stopper has been one of the brightest and best young players in the league, and a positive in Sunderland’s poor start to the season so far.
He’s not only caught the eye of the Sunderland faithful but is now also being recognised on a national scale with Le Tissier putting him in his premier league team of the season so far, not bad for a 22 year old.
Pickford started his career at youth level with Sunderland being signed in 2002. With a rich international pedigree playing at every level from Under-16 to Under-21 it looks like the next step for the young lad from Washington.
After impressing over the last two seasons with successful loan spells at Bradford and Preston north end Sam Allardyce made the decision to call Pickford back early from a loan spell in the midst of a minor keeper crisis at Sunderland.
After impressing during training and in limited matches last season Pickford started the summer fighting for a place in the starting eleven alongside Vito Mannone with the manager stating it was 50/50 during the summer training camp.
Mannone ultimately got the nod this season however an injury has forced him out of the side and for Pickford this has been the opportunity hes been waiting for. And boy did he take it.
According to Squawka the keeper averages 2.8 saves per goal compared to 1.5 of David De Gea, 1.0 for Courtois and 2.17 of Peter Cech. All of whom arguably have a better back four protecting them. Pickford has also made the most saves out of the four with 14 saves in three games with Cech his closest rival with 13 saves in 5 league games.
Not only has Pickford been a great shot stopper, of which Sunderland have been lucky to have many with Simon Mignolet being one of the best however where Mignolet failed with his command of the penalty area especially when dealing with corners. Pickford has excelled, the young keeper has kept a cool head when dealing with deliveries and has came out to collect his fair share of crosses as well. Averaging 3 catches or Clearances per game which again is the highest of the other three keepers.
With such great stats to start the season its probable that Pickford should maintain the starting berth over Vito Mannone and Mika. It also wouldn’t be too far fetched to see him called up to an Allardyce England squad soon, especially seing since the Number one spot seemingly is up for grabs.
