Who should be England’s number 1 goalkeeper at Euro 2020?

Andy Clark
England haven’t, really, had a settled number one goalkeeper for years. Maybe it’s the nature of the public and their love to debate everything these days, but it’s been a while. Ahead of Euro 2020, Gareth Southgate seems pretty settled on who he wants between the sticks, but the public really aren’t, and there’s still time for the waistcoat warrior to tinker. In that case, we’ve had a look at the front runners that could be lining up between the sticks for England at this summer’s competition.  

Jordan Pickford

Pickford has been Southgate’s first choice for a while and it seems the manager loves him, even if it is because he’s a decent ballplayer. The Everton man has never really let his country down and is famous for THAT moment at the 2018 World Cup in the penalty shootout win against Colombia. It’s at club level where he’s been struggling. Pickford has 34 clean sheets in 131 Premier League appearances, which is a decent return. It just feels, though, as if he’s a disaster waiting to happen. https://twitter.com/toonlowdown/status/1219886023079088129?s=21 Think back to the derby when he dropped the ball on Origi. Think back to the Newcastle game a couple of weeks back when he saved the ball whilst standing in the goal. He has 10 errors leading to goals in his Premier League career; the highest on this list and, at one every 13.1 games, the lowest ratio. It’s likely the 25-year-old will be Gareth Southgate’s first choice come June, but his place certainly isn’t secure.  

Nick Pope

Nick Pope to be England keeper at Euro 2020? Nick Pope is, perhaps, an outside shot, but there’s little doubt he’ll go to the tournament at least. With 19 clean sheets in 59 Premier League appearances, Pope has been solid for his club side, Burnley. He’s pushed both Tom Heaton and Joe Hart out the starting 11 and could be due a bigger move soon. With just two errors leading to goals at one every 29.5 games, he is very reliable and has two caps for England, so is clearly in Southgate’s plans. His most recent cap was his first competitive one, as he kept a clean sheet in England’s final qualifying game at Kosovo last November. He’s certainly knocking on Pickford’s door.  

Dean Henderson

Should Dean Henderson be England number 1? Henderson is the man that’s come out of nowhere. At just 22-years-old, he’s spent almost his whole career on loan, but, with his recent rapid progress, will want to find a home. With his parent club being Manchester United, he’s currently at Sheffield United, enjoying a brilliant debut Premier League season where he’s kept eight clean sheets in 23 appearances so far with just 20 goals conceded and one error leading to a goal. He’s been in the England squad before but hasn’t been capped as of yet. We expect that will change pretty soon, especially with plenty of friendlies set to take place before the Euros. With David De Gea still very much Manchester United’s number one, the club face a big problem in the summer; England do, too.  

The outsiders

Pickford, Pope and Henderson look in pole position to be England’s three goalkeepers at Euro 2020, but which other England shotstoppers still have an outside chance of going to the European Championships?  

Jack Butland

A former England squad regular but has declined massively. Now in a relegation battle in the Championship – needed to leave Stoke years ago.  

Ben Foster

Very good ‘keeper but will be 37 when the tournament comes around. Has also retired from international football, so that’s a problem.  

Aaron Ramsdale

Probably the most likely outsider. Very young but has impressed in a poor Bournemouth side. Too early, maybe.  

Fraser Forster

Was terrible towards the end of his Premier League career but has picked up form again back at Celtic. Unlikely Southgate would go back there.  

Tom Heaton

Unless you want him there with one leg, it’s not happening. It seems likely that the three goalkeepers going to the Euros this summer are decided. But who will be number one? We reckon any one of the three could fill the role. Let us know what you think on the Twitter poll below: Read More: See all the latest Euro 2020 predictions and betting tips ahead of this summer’s tournament taking place around Europe.