England goalkeeper battle don open well well after Leeds United man James Trafford make him competitive debut for Three Lions on Saturday. The match na 3-2 Nations League loss to Spain. Manager Thomas Tuchel use the game show say the race to be number one goalkeeper dey on.
You go need go back 10 years before you find major tournament where Jordan Pickford no start for England goal. The Everton goalkeeper don pretty much be England number one since him debut in 2017, but now e be like things don change. Pickford become England highest appearance maker at World Cups, passing Peter Shilton when him start in England 2026 quarter-final win over Norway.
Under Gareth Southgate, no natural goalkeeper really rival Pickford, and that one look like e go continue under Tuchel. Pickford start all but one of England World Cup qualifiers and every game in summer. But e be like Pickford finally get rival in Trafford. Tuchel talk say the pair go get ‘two consecutive matches each’ during this international break.
Trafford don impress since him move to Leeds for deal worth up to £45m. Against Spain, the 23-year-old show him quality with ball for him feet and make big save to deny Ferran Torres in first half. But Spain beat am three times as England lose their Nations League opener to world champions.
‘I think he deserved to get the two matches, that’s why we gave him two matches,’ Tuchel talk. ‘He started the Premier League season well and gets minutes as number one at Leeds. Jordan [Pickford] did absolutely nothing wrong but we wanted to use this competition to see how far actually James is.’
Trafford form this season don help Leeds reach fifth for Premier League table. He don keep two clean sheets and now him get chance to stake claim as England future number one over two matches. Before him move to Leeds, Trafford only play 32 top-flight games after time at Burnley and Manchester City. He come through City academy and join Burnley for initial fee of £15m in summer 2023.
However, him concede 67 goals in only 28 matches before him lose him place towards end of 2023-24 season. But after him shine in Burnley successful promotion in 2024-25 and Clarets concede just 16 goals, Trafford return to City for £27m last summer with hope to be Pep Guardiola number one. City bring in one of best goalkeepers in world, Gianluigi Donnarumma, just four weeks after Trafford arrival and he become second choice.
Despite frustrating campaign, Trafford get vital experience and start both FA Cup final and Carabao Cup final for City before him move to Leeds. He don be part of England success too, winning U21 European Championship in 2023 and saving stoppage-time penalty as Lee Carsley side beat Spain in final. Pickford don keep 46 clean sheets in him 91 appearances for England and don be huge part of Three Lions recent success at major tournaments.
‘I think Jordan Pickford will be very disappointed,’ former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson talk on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘Putting myself in that place, he will be questioning why he is not in that place. If he is number one, then why is he not playing against the world champions? You wonder whether this is the next generation coming through for Thomas Tuchel.’
Pickford put in excellent performance as England beat Mexico for World Cup to reach quarter-finals, but e no be the goalkeeper best tournament. ‘Jordan Pickford has never let England down,’ Ian Dennis talk. ‘You have opposition against Czech Republic and Croatia where you could give James Trafford an opportunity then. I do find the decision quite strange. Pickford against the world champions – you would back him to play in this game.’
Pickford still get number one shirt and play every minute of World Cup until dem rest am for England third-place play-off win over France, with Dean Henderson starting. The 32-year-old, who go be 34 at Euro 2028, get 91 England caps and don save four of 14 penalties him face in major tournament shootouts. For Premier League, Pickford overall numbers pass Trafford own. Since start of 2024-25 season, nobody prevent more expected goals than Everton stopper. But between the two this campaign, gap small: Pickford prevent more goals but Trafford get higher save percentage and better passing accuracy.
James Trafford admit say him dey relish challenge of competing for England number one spot as him settle into life as regular starter with Leeds United. The young shot-stopper collect high-profile start against Spain from Thomas Tuchel, signalling potential shift in Three Lions goalkeeping hierarchy.
Some fans and pundits react. James from Guildford talk say Pickford don fantastic for England but him no get best World Cup, with couple goals wey arguably him suppose save and few nervy moments playing out from back. Mick from Kettering talk say James Trafford deserve to start, say he go be England next number one and why not start am against Spain. Mick from Newcastle talk say James Trafford deserve him shot, Jordan Pickford don quality for 10 years, and time feel right to test who next. Zeb from Stanstead talk say Jordan Pickford dey pay price for mistakes wey creep in during World Cup. Thomas Tuchel dey show him ruthless side again.
