Michael Keane has lifted the lid on what it is really like playing in front of Jordan Pickford, admitting the England keeper’s constant shouting can be a nightmare, even if his shot stopping is “incredible.”
The 33 year old Everton defender has been a key figure under David Moyes this season, helping to protect Pickford’s goal. But protecting the goal is one thing. Protecting your ears from the man behind you? That is another challenge entirely.
Speaking on The Fozcast, Keane opened up about the unique experience of sharing a pitch with one of the Premier League’s most vocal goalkeepers.
‘He makes the most simple save and he is coming out shouting at someone’
Keane was honest. Brutally honest.
“Obviously, he is amazing at what he does, but to play in front of him can be tough,” he said.
“I have gotten a lot better with it as I have gotten older, but when I first joined, as you know, he goes mad. He makes the most simple save and he is coming out [shouting at] someone.”
So how does Keane deal with it now?
“I have gotten to the point now where I just completely ignore him. He will be shouting all sorts at me.”
Ignore Jordan Pickford. At your peril. But apparently, it works.
‘He is incredible’
To be fair to Keane, he was not just having a pop. He knows Pickford’s worth.
“Things like that are just what he is like, but he is incredible,” he added. “I think this season he has probably gone to another level with some of the saves.”
The numbers back him up. Pickford is among the Premier League’s top goalkeepers this season and leads the division in goals prevented. That is not opinion. That is data.
Even Gary Neville who spent years doubting the Everton No.1 has admitted he was wrong. Completely convinced now.
Mind games already started for the derby
Pickford has already begun the psychological warfare ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby, offering his assessment of Liverpool’s “sub par” campaign. That will not go down well across Stanley Park.
But his own teammates know the score. He shouts. He screams. He organises. And then he makes saves that keep Everton in games.
The bottom line
Playing with Jordan Pickford is not for the faint-hearted. He will yell at you. He will point fingers. He will make you question your own positioning.
Then he will pull off a world class stop and you will remember why he is England’s number one.
Keane has learned to ignore the noise. But he has also learned to appreciate the brilliance.
“He is incredible,” he said. And that, ultimately, is what matters.
