Pickford and Trafford Rotation Sparks England Goalkeeper Debate
England's goalkeeper question has reopened because Thomas Tuchel alternated Jordan Pickford with James Trafford in recent matches. Tuchel has made clear Pickford is still his number one, but the rotation has stirred debate about life after him.
Pickford's record as first choice
Pickford made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Germany at Wembley in 2017. With him as first choice, England reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and 2026, plus the Euros finals in 2020 and 2024.
Opta credits him with just two errors that cost a goal in 93 games, plus 46 clean sheets and a 74% save ratio.
At club level, only Arsenal's David Raya has kept more league clean sheets than Pickford since the start of 2024-25. Raya has 39 and Pickford has 27.
Robinson sees a plan for the future
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Sport he could see what Tuchel was doing. In his words, England are guilty as a nation of taking one keeper with 70, 80 or 90 caps to a tournament while the two below him could have fewer than ten between them.
Pickford has 80 competitive appearances for his country, and 33 games at major tournaments: 19 at the World Cup and 14 at European Championships. Robinson says that kind of experience cannot be gained as a number two or three.
Trafford is 24 and has four caps, two of them competitive. Robinson does not think Tuchel sees the situation as starkly as some assumed. He says Pickford very much remains number one and sees the debate as one for the future.
Pickford has to stay at the top of his game, Robinson adds, and he has been doing so this season. Trafford would challenge, he says, only if Pickford were playing badly and making errors.
How the rotation played out
Tuchel picked Trafford, of Leeds United, to face World Cup holders Spain at Wembley in the last international break. England lost that game 3-2. Trafford also played in a win over the Czech Republic.
Pickford, 32, was back for the second game against the Czechs at Wembley, a win, and played in the 7-0 victory in Croatia. Tuchel has made it clear he remains his number one. He has also suggested he may rotate again in the coming internationals.
England meet Croatia at Wembley on Thursday. On Sunday they play Spain in Madrid, the biggest test of their Uefa Nations League campaign.
The other names
Trafford left Manchester City for Leeds in the summer. The deal is a British record for a goalkeeper and could be worth up to £45m. A year earlier he had made a £23m move from Burnley to City, where Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival ended his hopes of becoming first choice. Robinson notes he has played only 42 Premier League games and one Champions League game, and says he needs the experience.
Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace, who has six caps, is back in contention after injury but is not in the latest squad.
Source: BBC Sport