More than two decades have passed since a player from outside the top flight played for England at a World Cup. Paul Merson in 1998, if you’re wondering. And that hardly counts – Middlesbrough had just been promoted.
Without condemning Everton, with 13 games left, perhaps time is nigh for Gareth Southgate to start considering whether he is prepared to break that duck.
Because, on the one hand, it seems unthinkable that Jordan Pickford won’t be in Qatar.
Jordan Pickford and Everton suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat away at the hands of Tottenham
And yet, on this evidence, it seems very possible that the goalkeeper will be part of a Championship side.
There is still time, of course, for Frank Lampard to steer Everton out of this mess. Or for Pickford to head elsewhere.
Nights like this do at least offer potential suitors plenty to look at. Unfortunately for Pickford, they provide a showreel of misery. What a way to mark his 28th birthday – and 200th Premier League appearance.
It doesn’t help, of course, that he plays behind – in Jamie Carragher’s words – a ‘Championship back four’.
On this dark night, Pickford was helpless for all but one of the five goals. The issue? He made a hash of that.
And that will sting. Especially with Aaron Ramsdale making a stronger case with every passing week at Arsenal.
Pickford was helpless for all but one of the five goals that were put past the England No 1
His frustration began to boil over after only 20 minutes.
By then, Everton already looked set for a long, cold night. By then Pickford had pulled his shirt over his face only to find no lasting hiding place – there or anywhere.
And so, all twitches, ticks and pent-up tension, the goalkeeper stomped along the box and brought his right hand down by his side.
Pickford was practising in case a shot came close to his body. The only problem? One just had. From Son Heung-min. And he had allowed it to squirm beneath him.
It was an error that compounded Everton misery. They were already trailing by then and Pickford’s save-come-lately was a rather fitting snapshot of a dreadful 90 minutes when the visitors, for all their effort and good intentions, were almost comically off the pace. It’s saying something that, despite his error, Pickford was probably one of Everton’s better first-half performers.
Pickford is starting to face pressure from in-form Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale
Everton’s recent form has left them just one point above the relegation zone with 13 games left
He could hardly be blamed when Michael Keane beat Harry Kane to the ball and then kindly did the striker’s job for him.
Or when Kane fired in Spurs’ third. At least in between Pickford did his best to limit the humiliation.
He was down quickly to deny Son and made a smart save to keep out Matt Doherty.
Not that Pickford will take much comfort from those glimpses of quality.
Not when Sergio Reguilon netted with Spurs’ first attack of the second period.
Not when Kane volleyed in a fifth with 35 minutes still to play.
Not when that carrot dangles at the end of the year.
