Is Jordan Pickford the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?

When goalkeepers make mistakes, it invariably, 9 times out of 10, will result in a goal being conceded. It is just the nature of the position.

And those moments, those blunders, can stand out and be used as a stick to beat any goalkeeper with.

But for the very best, those errors are rare — that is, of course, what makes them the best, after all.

Jordan Pickford has some weaknesses, but there is only really one, genuine, standout mistake that springs to mind when you think of Everton’s shot-stopper over the course of this season, and arguably, the course of the past year.

That came against Newcastle United — for Pickford, probably the worst opponent it could have happened against — when he made a mess of keeping out Lewis Miley’s shot.

There has always, it seems, been a tendency for pundits (and some fans) to jump down Pickford’s throat when he does make those rare errors. Like they cannot wait to criticise him. They can’t do it when he plays for England, given how good he has been for the Three Lions, so instead they fall back on the old favourite of: “He’s good for England, but not for Everton.”

And there was a time, around 2019 and into 2020, that Pickford’s Everton future did seem uncertain. He was not performing to the best of his ability and he was making rash decisions.

Yet Pickford is now into his sixth year of impeccable consistency. His saves were crucial to keeping Everton in the top flight between 2022 and 2024, and now, they are vital to the Toffees looking up the table and harbouring (perhaps slender) dreams of European football.

This season, it could be argued that Pickford has not been at his very best. Teams with towering centre-backs are definitely looking to target him from inswinging corners, but Pickford can hardly be blamed for that — it is on Everton’s defence and coaching staff to ensure their goalkeeper is protected.

However, the highs of Pickford’s campaign have been among the best of his career.

Three fantastic saves immediately come to mind, the latest of which came against Aston Villa on Sunday, as Pickford sprung to his left to tip over a super shot from Morgan Rogers.

The 31-year-old demonstrated similarly swift footwork to preserve a point for Everton against Wolves earlier in the month, though his highlight save came in November, when he scampered across to parry wide Joshua Zirkzee’s header in the memorable 1-0 win at Manchester United.

Pickford has kept 9 Premier League clean sheets this term — a tally bettered only by Arsenal’s David Raya. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, Pickford has kept 34 top-flight shutouts, which trails only Raya (40).

And unlike Raya, who plays behind the meanest defence in Europe, Pickford has had plenty of work to do. He has already made 62 saves this season, which ranks 5th in the league.

Keep in mind, it is not always a positive to see a goalkeeper make lots of saves, but Pickford’s 71.3 save percentage is impressive. For context, Raya’s is 69.6%, while Gianluigi Donnarumma comes in at 71.7%, Dean Henderson at 71.3% and Alisson — often cited as the world’s best goalkeeper — is at 64.2%.

Opta's expected goals on target (xGoT) conceded model, meanwhile, shows that Pickford has prevented 3.8 goals. Essentially, Everton have shipped almost four goals fewer than would have been anticipated based on the quality of opportunities they have given up and calibre of shots their goalkeeper has faced.

Only four goalkeepers in the Premier League — Sunderland’s Robin Roefs (5.1), Crystal Palace’s Henderson (5.0), Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen (4.9) and Burnley’s Martin Dúbravka (3.9) — can boast a higher goals prevented figure.

Just to keep up the comparisons to Raya, he has actually conceded 1.5 goals more than would have been expected based on the quality of shots he has faced. That ranks as the fifth-worst in the league, while Alisson (-1.3) comes in as the sixth-worst performer in this metric.

Can there now be any argument that Pickford is among the very best goalkeepers not only in the Premier League, but in world football?

As the statistics show, Alisson has not been at his best this season, and it could be argued that Raya is benefiting hugely from playing behind such a stringent defence. Donnarumma is an excellent shot-stopper, as is Emiliano Martinez, but neither can really be considered as hugely ahead of Pickford.

In the last two league matches alone, Pickford has been responsible for making saves worth four points to the Toffees. He deserves the utmost respect and, when England head to the World Cup later this year, he will no doubt go on to prove, yet again, just how good he is on the biggest stage.

Stats via Opta Analyst and the official Everton website

Reader Comments (38)

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Peter Mills 1 Posted 22/01/2026 at 17:32:12

His skills with the ball at his feet are adequate for our needs.

He could be more commanding in the 6 yard box.

Regularly, we owe him big-time. I can’t think of anyone I’d swap him for.

He's barely over 6 feet tall and his arms aren't long enough. That used to be the defining wisdom.

But he at least seems to have slowly but surely gained in maturity and reduced the howlers to a substantial degree.

The big critique seems to be that he doesn't come for crosses but I think he's making a judgment based on percentages -- and let's not forget that some inswinging corners, delivered well, and headed on by an attacker in the sweet spot, can be impossible to stop.

We love it when we score them, and give lavish praise for the finish. But when they are scored against us, it's time to find fault with the goalie, or the centre-backs... or the whole kit and kaboodle.

Kieran Kinsella 4 Posted 22/01/2026 at 17:55:16

Pickford has had his critics from day one, based on the perception he was another Hart prone to make errors and lack concentration. For a time when Allison and Ederson were in their prime I'd say he was a way behind the best keepers in the EPL. But at this point, overall allowing for the fact they all have strengths as well as weaknesses I'd say he is right up there. Looking at Vicario, Sanchez, Utd's new goalie, I'd say we are in pretty good shape. Raya is better with the ball but not such a great shot stopper. Donaramma is bigger and more dominant but not one to create chances which Picks does when he gets his kicking right. So wo is better?

Jay Harris 5 Posted 22/01/2026 at 18:18:42

He is undoubtedly one of the best shot stoppers in the world but leaves a lot to be improved on with his lack of domination of the penalty area and he continues to drive me nuts with his overriding desire to hit 80 yard Hollywood passes of which 1 in 10 come off if we are lucky.

If he ever reaches big Nev's standards then we might consider him one of the best but for me he is still a very good keeper just not the best.

Paul Griffiths 6 Posted 22/01/2026 at 19:22:37

The question, Jay, was whether or not Jordan is the best keeper in the Premier League today.

He's in the top four for sure, but none of the others are English.

7 Posted 22/01/2026 at 19:37:39

I have long been a critic of Jordan ever since I saw him come way out from his goal and clatter Ashley Williams from behind. I think that was his first season.

My criticisms are his lack of command of the 6-yard box, his tendancy to hoof long balls up especially kicking them straight out over the touchline although that frequency has reduced significantly. He also had a bad habit of parrying his saves back into play although I have seen less of that recently.

And finally I think he can disrupt our defenders with his ranting and raving. Thankfully, Tarkowski is strong enough to calm him down.

That being said, for me, he is the best shot-stopper in the Premier League and his saves against Wolves and Aston Villa were some of the best I have ever seen from a keeper.

Therefore, in summary, a great keeper with flaws... but then again, what keeper is perfect? He certainly has eliminated many of his worst in recent years.

Lester Yip 8 Posted 22/01/2026 at 22:15:38

The most under-rated GK in my opinion. His consistencies had really improved after the blunder in the game against Liverpool a few years ago. After that dip, he's never looked back. He's the reason we have not been relegated.

Martin Berry 9 Posted 22/01/2026 at 22:31:17

The best in the Prem ? He is the best in the world.

Kevin Molloy 10 Posted 22/01/2026 at 23:12:09

it's one of the great mysteries why none of the billionaire clubs hasn't come in for him. He's kept this club solvent on his own for the last five years, it's a miracle he didn't want to leave.

Mike Gaynes 11 Posted 22/01/2026 at 23:21:26

Spot on, Pete #1. We are fortunate to have him, and even more fortunate to have been able to keep him.

Stu Gre 12 Posted 22/01/2026 at 23:21:34

Jordan is a bit of an anomaly. I think he often looks awkward which gives the impression of not being as accomplished as some others, but you just have to look at his England record to see how good he has been. He has a higher clean sheet ratio than Banks, Shilton, Seaman etc. When you consider they arguably had stronger defenders in front of them, you can see just how valuable JP is.

In fact when Henderson was picked over him against Senegal, England lost.

Paul Griffiths 13 Posted 23/01/2026 at 03:32:22

Kevin Molloy - one of the great mysteries why none of the billionaire clubs hasn't come in for him.

How do you know that they haven't Kevin? You don't. We know that more than one such club has been interested in JP, but what we don't know is how far that interest went and how/why it ended.

Martin Berry 9 - The best in the Prem ? He is the best in the world.

Woahhh, slow down Martin. No he's not. He is the best English keeper but come on, best keeper in the world. Matron.

Paul Hewitt 14 Posted 23/01/2026 at 06:47:42

I'd put Pickford 4th best Premier league keeper at the moment, behind the Arsenal,City and Liverpool keepers.

Paul Griffiths 15 Posted 23/01/2026 at 07:15:58

About right PH mate.

Darren Hind 16 Posted 23/01/2026 at 07:16:47

I thought he was too easily beaten by long range efforts, but he and the coaching staff have clearly worked on this. The movement of his feet has brought him to another level. He has the lateral movement of a top class boxer.

He must have taken four steps before he made that fantastic save from Morgan Rogers. He wouldn't have made that stop 2 years ago. I think he is still improving.

Is he the best in the Premier League? Well, he certainly is at some aspects of the game.

I know some very knowledgeable Evertonians will cast a critical eye over his game, Dave A will almost certainly ask "Does he command his box ?" and he would be right to do so. But there are no complete goalies out there today.

While the bar is continually raised in many aspects of the goalkeeper position, none of them seem to have the all-round game.

Pickford still makes a mistake, but so do all the others. He is clearly driven and he is always striving to improve. He's definitely a better keeper than the one who arrived from Sunderland nearly a decade ago.

Sorry, Paul, but I also think the question should be: "Is he the best in the world?"

Cue a couple of almighty clangers against Leeds Utd...

Darren (16)Yes Darren I would question how good he is, with a good majority of Everton fans he is a special goalkeeper how does he rate with neutral supporters, nowhere near as high I’d guess.

No doubt about his shot stopping — very, very good but plenty of faults to go with that aspect, temperament is still over the top and his kicking is open to question many times, as for his six yard area exploits he us still Calamity to me but that will be dismissed by most.

I hope your praise doesn’t finish up as you say with a couple of clangers v Leeds to wipe out the couple of brilliant saves he makes.

Ian Jones 18 Posted 23/01/2026 at 07:47:04

I was brought up with goalies often commanding the 18 yard box and not just the 6 yard box. However, as has been mentioned before, the nature or make up of the actual ball has changed over the years, e.g. now lighter, with different ones being used in different competitions, making it harder for goales to perfect their craft.

Also, Jordan seems settled in the North West and if his family are happy, why move. He perhaps chooses not to look elsewhere. Whilst money and honours are important and shows ambition, I assume he's happy in life which is maybe why he seems more consistent on the pitch.

Ian Bennett 19 Posted 23/01/2026 at 08:05:25

Agree with a lot of the comments. Brilliant saves, used to be beaten from distance, erratic, 6 yard box etc.

That all being said. He's working nearly twice as hard as the top keepers. Raya has 2 more clean sheets and fewer goals conceeded less, but he's made half the saves of Pickford.

Now you can say that raya has great concentration etc, but if youre untested all game, then surely you will make fewer mistakes.

Pickford with an Arsenal defence and midfield in front of him, would look better. Look how he performs for England.

Paul Griffiths 20 Posted 23/01/2026 at 08:07:02

Great post Ian - 18. I believe that JP is a down-to-earth fella and that your second paragraph is spot on. Guess what, life, the woman he married who he met when he was 14, and kids matter more than football. It's not hard to accept is it, JP loves being with us for all sorts of reasons and we are lucky to have him, even with the griping about X, Y, and Z. He's our best goalie since immortal NS. Enjoy. His best seasons are ahead of him. Enjoy.

Paul Hewitt 21 Posted 23/01/2026 at 09:11:27

Ian@19.I wouldn't say his England form has been outstanding. The level of international team he plays against are hardly any good. I'm confident I could keep clean sheets against many countries.

Paul Griffiths 22 Posted 23/01/2026 at 09:11:51

We have fucking Doucoure as the pic on the home page.

SORT IT FUCKING OUT

AND THE FUCKING EDIT BUTTON YOU SAID YOU WOULD SORT OUT WEEKS AGO

AND THE FUCKING FIRST TEAM SQUAD YOU SAID YOU WOULD SORT OUT

Ian Bennett 23 Posted 23/01/2026 at 09:21:07

Paul, two runners up in the Euros proves its more than just San Marino & co.

I doubt you could do that.

Brian Harrison 24 Posted 23/01/2026 at 09:57:32

For me Pickford is a real enigma at the match I am either raving at him for not commanding his box or standing up applauding a great save. He also spends much of the match way out of his goal and if any clearance is misplaced its a simple goal waiting to happen. But we have the current England keeper and yes there are probably a couple of Premier league goalkeepers who have a better all round game, but certainly no English keeper is better.

Paul Griffiths 25 Posted 23/01/2026 at 10:07:01

I've met PH Ian - 23 -- I still owe him a pint.

He's fucking huge, bigger than Rob Halligan - massive hands - he might surprise you. Like hulk huge with a Tim Howard head.

I'd be happy with PH in goal at Serbia or Greece away.

Raymond Fox 26 Posted 23/01/2026 at 10:30:11

Pickford is up there with the best keepers in the league at present, he has kept us in the Prem. for at least a couple of seasons.

He does seem to struggle on crosses when the penalty area is crowded though, nowadays its a tactic for attackers to block opposing goalkeepers so there are excuses. As far as his long kicking is concered he will have been told to do it, its working for us at present so why change it.

There are plenty good goalkeepers in the league now, probably the most that I can remember, I have always liked Sanchez and Raya from the time they were playing for Brighton and Brentford. They might not be the very best but they are right up there.

John Collins 28 Posted 23/01/2026 at 11:39:38

Raymond,

I agree on Jordan and crosses,hes not the biggest physically. coming through a crowd of blockers.

I like the Villa tactic when facing corners against them.

They leave 3 men on the halfway line,meaning the opposition have to leave 3,sometimes 4,on the half way line.

Clears the box of 6, 7 players.

John Collins 30 Posted 23/01/2026 at 11:58:43

I don't think David would entertain that tactic tbh Alan.

Your right though

Raymond Fox 31 Posted 23/01/2026 at 12:02:51

John @ 28, that makes a lot of sense.

John Pickles 32 Posted 23/01/2026 at 14:47:51

I wouldn't say he was the best goalie in the league. But he is in the top one.

Nod to Brian Clough!

Mike Gaynes 33 Posted 23/01/2026 at 17:09:35

PH #21, great to see you posting... hope you are feeling better.

Stu Gre 34 Posted 23/01/2026 at 19:12:46

Kevin @27, isn't it more likely that agents rather than players make the interest known?

Jordan may have told his agent that he is happy. Doesn't mean the "big boys" haven't shown an interest.

Kevin Molloy 35 Posted 23/01/2026 at 19:32:31

Stu, I think it happens both ways. Yes, certainly the agent agitates on the player's behalf when they want a move.

But look at Real Madrid, or Man Utd. When they want a player, they let the world know about it. It's a standard tactic.

The whole thing is unusual. As people have commented his form over the past few years has him in the running as the best in the world. During that time, he's shown no inclination to leave, and nobody has shown interest.

I'm not complaining, like! But he could have doubled or trebled his money with a move. He's never played in the Champions League. Maybe he's happy for his England games to be where he gets the buzz.

And we have massively benefited as a result. Without him I don't think the club would be around, full stop.

Derek Thomas 37 Posted 23/01/2026 at 22:09:40

John Collins @ 28; it's simple Maths:

Take out 2 keepers per side = 10Remove 1 opposition kick taker = 9Also remove 1 opposition defender on the half way line = 8It's our own players getting in the way.

Attack the ball!

Plus there are some players who are liabilities in their own 6-yard box... who don't can't attack the ball! Get them out as well...

1 on the edge of the D.2 on the halfway line... one of whom - and not always the same one -- who can come short and / or short and wide if required.

And always... Attack the ball