Due to the amount of international football played in the modern-day game, the term ‘international great’ is probably losing some of its weight.
In and around the millennium, it seemed that the sport’s elite were forged in major international tournaments.
Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario lighting up Korea and Japan in 2002, France’s Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane in 1998, and Diego Maradona in Mexico 86′.
Of course, the recent 2022 World Cup in Qatar saw the greatest player of all time lead his side to a fairytale victory. Still, there was no doubting Lionel Messi’s ability before Argentina’s heroics in the Middle East.
For England, Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, Harry Kane, Gordon Banks, and Peter Shilton would be considered all-time greats.
But, speaking on talkSPORT on Wednesday morning, Ally McCoist has been discussing whether Jordan Pickford is an all-time England great.
Ally McCoist makes honest international claim on Jordan Pickford
Considering Pickford’s impact over the last three major tournaments, there’s a solid argument to put him among England’s greatest goalkeepers. However, McCoist disagrees.
“Is Pickford an England great? No. I like him but not yet,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast.
McCoist insisted he would be holding fire before mentioning the 30-year-old in the same breath as Banks and Peter Shilton.
He added: “The first thing you have to say, I imagine we play a lot more international football now than we did then, that’s taking nothing away from Jordan Pickford who is rightly England number one but I would be holding fire before we start throwing about Banks and Clemence and Shilton.”
How many caps does Jordan Pickford have for England?
Pickford is now closing in on his 60th cap for the Three Lions. He will achieve the feat if he plays in the upcoming games against Brazil and Belgium.
The 30-year-old is closing in on the likes of Peter Beardsley, Ray Clemence, and Alan Shearer. Of course, he has some way to go to catch Shilton’s 125 caps, but considering the lifespan of a goalkeeper, it’s not out of the question.
There’s also a strong argument to disagree with McCoist’s view on Pickford. England have reached the semi-finals in two of their last three tournaments; before 2018, the Three Lions’ record was beyond poor. Pickford has played a massive part in England’s success and perhaps deserves more recognition.
He certainly gets the recognition he deserves at Goodison Park, having been part of an impressive defensive unit under Sean Dyche this season.