In a sharp critique following England’s 2-1 Nations League loss to Greece at Wembley, Roy Keane once again targeted Jordan Pickford, highlighting his erratic performance as the Three Lions’ goalkeeper. England’s defeat came after Vangelis Pavlidis netted a brace, dashing hopes of a late comeback after Jude Bellingham’s goal.
Throughout the match, England struggled defensively, with Pickford appearing particularly shaky. Early offsides and Levi Colwill’s last-ditch clearance kept Greece at bay in the first half, but Pickford’s nervy decisions, including a misjudged play far from his goal line, drew immediate criticism from the punditry team.
Speaking during halftime on ITV, Keane, the Manchester United legend, voiced his frustrations over Pickford’s focus: “What’s he doing? It’s about concentration, and that lack of urgency spreads through the team,” Keane noted, emphasizing how Pickford’s actions set a poor example for the rest of England’s defense.
Ian Wright joined in, noting how unsettled Pickford looked throughout the game: “He gets caught in no man’s land. It’s jittery,” he added, as England struggled to deal with Greece’s attacking threats.
Keane has a long-standing history of criticizing Pickford, having previously questioned his quality during Everton’s Premier League matches. In his scathing review of Pickford’s performance, Keane doubled down on his belief that the goalkeeper hasn’t improved: “He’s not going to change now,” he said, referring to Pickford’s consistent errors.
Keane’s comments echo his past remarks after Everton’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City, where he labeled Pickford as a goalkeeper who lacks presence and anticipation. His critique at that time included: “He looks so small in the goal… no spring, no anticipation.”
This latest criticism comes as England faces mounting pressure to find consistency ahead of their next Nations League fixtures. While Jude Bellingham’s efforts gave fans brief hope, it was clear that defensive stability, particularly from their goalkeeper, remains a key issue for Gareth Southgate’s side. Keane’s analysis leaves little doubt: Pickford’s performances are under the microscope, and according to Keane, he isn’t improving.
