Former footballer turned pundit Chris Sutton has given his verdict on who should be England’s goalkeeper.
The ex-striker seemed to back Dean Henderson over Jordan Pickford when speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.
What’s he said?
Henderson has been earning plaudits for his displays this season with Sutton’s comments the latest in a line of fine praise.
He has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water after his initial spell with the Blades in 2018/19 where he kept 21 shut outs in 41 Championship outings.
Currently on loan from Manchester United, he’s reiterated his desire to make it into their starting XI in the years to come (Kelly & Wrighty Show, via The Daily Mail). Yet, with David de Gea standing in his way that may be an arduous task.
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Having kept nine clean sheets in the top-flight this season, the joint-most of any stopper, he is certainly well placed for another England call-up.
The 22-year-old received his first earlier this campaign but didn’t earn any minutes. Talking about Henderson’s chances to the BBC, Sutton had a dig at his closest rival Pickford:
“Henderson, Pope and [Ben] Foster have all been better than Pickford. If you want to win the Euros, you play the most confident goalkeeper, the best goalkeeper.
“Pickford played well at the World Cup but, in the here and now, if you compare him to other goalkeepers, the truth is he hasn’t been as good as Henderson or Pope.
“He’s so good with his feet but if he’s fragile or not showing the confidence that Henderson’s done then surely you pick the goalkeeper in form, the one who’s made the most saves and been the most consistent. Pickford’s club form has been really erratic and Gareth has a dilemma.”
Must be careful
Henderson more than deserves his opportunity. After all, he’s been part of a Blades backline that’s conceded just 24 goals in the Premier League this term.
He’s been a resolute figure and he’s certainly been more consistent than the aforementioned Pickford in 2019/20.
The Everton man has been key in playing out from the back for England and is tried and tested in Gareth Southgate’s squad. However, for Everton there has been some uncertainty.
He was rather calamitous against Manchester City earlier in the campaign while he was also at fault against Crystal Palace last weekend.
However, Henderson is not immune to an error either. In fact, for England U21s last summer he made a terrible blunder.
With three minutes left of their clash with Romania, the score was 2-2 but Florinel Coman’s strike from distance somehow squirmed under Henderson despite it being straight at him.
In such a high-pressure environment, there have to be questions asked about his temperament. That being said, he has bounced back from that tremendously for Sheffield United.
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