Roy Keane in scathing attack on England star after Greece loss: ‘He’s not going to change’

Jordan Pickford was once again under the spotlight for England as the Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Greece at Wembley in the Nations League on Thursday night

Roy Keane didn’t hold back with his criticism of Jordan Pickford, during England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley.

It looked as though a late Jude Bellingham goal would rescue a scarcely-deserved draw for the Three Lions in their Nations League showdown, before Vangelis Pavlidis clinched a memorable win with his second goal of the night.

England were shaky from the off, with two offsides sparing their blushes before the break, while Levi Colwill’s incredible goalline clearance and an offside flag against Konstantinos Mavropanos provided relief for Pickford, during an opening period where the Everton stopper was at his most erratic.

Speaking on ITV at the break, Manchester United great Keane laid into the 30-year-old England No.1.

He sharply critiqued the moment where Pickford lost possession far from his line: “It sends a message about concentration levels, and that spreads throughout the team. Again there’s a lack of urgency.”

He exclaimed: “What’s he doing? ! Do it quickly. Brilliant defending, very unlucky by Greece but a lovely message for defenders – never give it up. He chased it and did brilliant. But not a good message from Pickford to send.”

Ian Wright, also in the pundit’s seat on ITV, weighed in on Pickford’s erratic display too, saying: “Here again, he looks all over the place. He gets caught in no man’s land. It’s very jittery, Pickford,” he added.

Keane, the former Manchester United captain, added: “That will always be there with Pickford. He’s not going to change now.”

Keane’s history of criticising Pickford is well-documented, with the Irish pundit previously lambasting the keeper after Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League last May. His scathing commentary on Sky Sports included: “Pickford for the goal… my goodness. He looks so small in there. There is no spring, he’s not anticipating. Micah (Richards) said before the game he’s a top keeper. He’s not.”

And following a 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Everton at Goodison Park in March 2020, Keane was unimpressed by Pickford’s handling of a Bruno Fernandes shot. “When I hear that, when people say the ball is moving, of course the ball is going to move when someone kicks it.”

Keane continued his unforgiving assessment: “The bottom line with Pickford, I’m not joking. I don’t need to see your stats, I know he’s [Pickford] not a good goalkeeper. We said it before the game, he is not up to it.” We spoke before the game about Everton making progress as a football club, I don’t care, he is not a good goalkeeper.”

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