Moving into England’s Thomas Tuchel era, who is the national team’s most important player?. For a long time, it has been Harry Kane but probably isn’t any longer. There are arguments to be made for Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer. But arguably it is actually Jordan Pickford.
![[Understudies Nick Pope (left) and Dean Henderson (right) are not reassuring back-up options]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/16/93919713-0-image-a-7_1736439201035.jpg)
Is it possible to win a World Cup without a first-rate goalkeeper? Perhaps the only team to do so in the last 30 years was Brazil in 2002. So Tuchel – the new England manager – had better hope Pickford stays fit. Pickford has grown into that excellent international goalkeeper we talk about. His form for Everton this season has been wonderful. Every time I turn on the football highlights, there he is. Save after save after save. He is still only 30 and should have two major tournaments left in him.
![[Aaron Ramsdale was deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal which gives England pause]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/16/93919727-0-image-a-10_1736439221521.jpg)
Beyond that, there is a drop in quality to the back-ups and that is the point here. If not Pickford then who?. Nick Pope of Newcastle has distribution issues. Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace is a reliable Premier League goalkeeper who has nevertheless not trained on since being earmarked as Manchester United’s successor to David de Gea. Aaron Ramsdale was not considered best in class at Arsenal so why would he be so at England? Currently, he is at Southampton where he tends to finish most games looking like he needs a lie down.
![[Thomas Tuchel will have a difficult job refining England's plans if Pickford is unavailable]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/16/93919729-0-image-a-11_1736439234363.jpg)
