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Where does Jordan Pickford stand among Premier League goalkeepers? Former England international David James ranks the Everton shot-stopper among some of the very best.

Jordan Pickford has held the No.1 spot for England for nearly a decade, but how does the Everton keeper compare to his Premier League peers? Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and England goalkeeper David James has shared his opinion in an interview with GOAL, placing the Toffees star in esteemed company.

How many caps has Pickford earned for England?

Born in Wearside and a graduate of Sunderland’s academy, Pickford made his senior England debut in 2017 and has since collected 84 caps. Now 32, he appears well on track to reach 100 appearances and beyond for his country.

He will aim to feature prominently at the 2026 World Cup as Thomas Tuchel leads the national side in pursuit of a long-awaited major trophy, hoping to end six decades of frustration. Tuchel has at his disposal one of the most reliable goalkeepers in international football.

Pickford remains Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper

Over the years, Pickford has been a model of consistency for the Three Lions, his bold personality perfectly suiting the demands of his position. Despite Everton not featuring regularly in European competition, he has maintained his spot as England’s first-choice keeper.

He continues to hold the record as the most expensive British goalkeeper ever, following his £25 million ($34m) transfer to Everton in 2017. Having played more than 350 matches for the Merseyside club, his lack of silverware does little to diminish his reputation both domestically and internationally.

Where does Pickford rank among Alisson and Raya in the Premier League?

At present, the Premier League boasts several top-level goalkeepers, including Arsenal’s three-time Golden Glove winner David Raya, Liverpool’s Brazilian star Alisson, Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City, and World Cup winner Emi Martinez from Aston Villa.

When asked whether Pickford belongs in the top five Premier League goalkeepers, former England No.1 David James, speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Sport, which provides the latest World Cup odds, told GOAL: “For consistency, yes. It’s interesting when you think about the top five – he’s definitely right up there.

“I’m a huge admirer of Jordan. He’s quite unique in the Premier League. If I use the phrase ‘horses for courses’, then take someone like Ali – at his best, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. But if you put him in different teams, say Everton or Newcastle, you might not see the same version of him. Playing for Liverpool suits him perfectly.”

“David Raya fits perfectly at Arsenal. Similarly, when you watch Jordan play for Everton, he’s ideally suited to that side. It’s all about distribution and style. Yet, when you see him in an England shirt, which is a completely different setup, he’s equally effective there.”

“Jordan has the adaptability to perform in a variety of teams and tactical systems. Without question, I’d include him in the Premier League’s top five.”

2026 World Cup: England aiming for more clean sheets

Pickford, known for his confidence, has even expressed a willingness to take a penalty should England face another shootout this summer. James has given his backing to that idea, confident in Pickford’s composure from the spot.

Captain Harry Kane will handle penalty duties initially as England begin their World Cup group stage against Croatia on Wednesday, with Ghana and Panama also in Group L.

After keeping a flawless record in qualifying without conceding a goal, Pickford will look to continue that defensive solidity as England aim to build early momentum in the tournament. Once his international campaign concludes, he will return to club duties under David Moyes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Premier League’s 2026-27 fixtures set to be announced on Friday.

How far can England go at the World Cup?