Jordan Pickford is set to reclaim England's goalkeeping jersey for Saturday's crucial Nations League clash against Croatia in Rijeka, but the 32-year-old can no longer take his place for granted with James Trafford pushing hard for the role.
Thomas Tuchel has opted to rotate his goalkeepers during this international window, handing Trafford starts in the opening two fixtures against Spain and Czechia, both of which the young shot-stopper navigated impressively. Pickford will now return for the trip to face Luka Modric's Croatia, with Tuchel indicating the veteran will also start the following fixture at home to Czechia.
Tuchel has been careful to frame the rotation as an opportunity to examine Trafford against top-tier opposition rather than a dig at Pickford, insisting the senior goalkeeper has not been at fault. Pickford's résumé speaks for itself — he has been instrumental in England reaching two major finals, delivering standout performances in penalty shootout victories over Colombia at the 2018 World Cup and Switzerland at Euro 2024. He will earn his 92nd England cap against Croatia and has already surpassed Peter Shilton's record for World Cup appearances by an England goalkeeper. His save against Newcastle last February, tipping a fierce Sandro Tonali strike over the bar, was widely regarded as one of the Premier League's finest of the season.
Nevertheless, question marks have crept in following a shaky showing last summer. Pickford looked uneasy with the ball at his feet, was caught out at his near post by Brian Cipenga's effort for DR Congo, and was beaten by a Andreas Schjelderup cross against Norway. He also conceded a soft goal in a 4-2 win over Croatia. While he bounced back with a solid display against Mexico, his semi-final outing against Argentina drew criticism after Enzo Fernández repeatedly tested him from range, eventually finding the net with his fourth attempt — a goal that reportedly prompted Jude Bellingham to remark the shot had gone