Everton Insider: This is when Leeds' James Trafford will replace Jordan Pickford
Leeds United star James Trafford may have to wait until after the 2030 World Cup to replace Everton’s Jordan Pickford as England’s number one goalkeeper.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the duo are “clear of the pack” when it comes to the Three Lions’ goalkeeping department.
Pickford has held the starting shirt for England since the 2018 World Cup, but Trafford has impressed with an excellent start since moving to Leeds in the summer.
Wyness believes that Pickford is still likely to last through the “next World Cup cycle,” provided that his form doesn’t dip dramatically before then.
The gloveman will be 36 by the time the 2030 tournament comes around, but Trafford is already hot on his heels.
Leeds' new star currently leads the entire Premier League with an 87 per cent save percentage, and his displays are making headlines at the moment.
James Trafford set for long wait with England
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Trafford may have a long wait ahead of him before he becomes the first-choice for his country.
The Scottish businessman revealed that his “gut feeling” is that Pickford will continue as the main starter for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that if Thomas Tuchel were to change keepers, he would want Trafford to get an “extended run” in the team before playing in a tournament.
“Trafford has started well, and he's a talented keeper. The way it's going to work, I think, is that it'll go on World Cup cycles. I would still see Pickford hanging on through the next World Cup cycle,” he said.
“Provided Pickford maintains his form, which he seems to be doing, then it'll go on the World Cup cycle. But Trafford will definitely be the one who will be pushing him.
“An international manager will probably pick a keeper for the two years. You'll look at the Euros and then he'll get somebody in place before the World Cup. That's what they'll be thinking about, giving any replacement keeper the chance to have an extended run.
“That change could come sooner rather than later if that's what they really think and they want to get somebody in place for four years' time. But my gut feeling is that Pickford will last through the next World Cup cycle.
“You'd expect to see Trafford getting some game time and being ready if anything happened in terms of injuries. But it does seem these two are pulling clear of the pack at the moment.”
Ex-scout raises England goalkeeper issue
Former Everton scout and ex-goalkeeper Bryan King told Football Insider back in July that the standard is goalkeeping across English football is “poor” at the moment.
The ex-recruitment man also highlighted a lack of depth in terms of options for Tuchel right now, and stressed that Pickford may not have gained as many caps in a previous era.
However, King is adamant that the Toffees man is the best that England have at their disposal at the moment, and that is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
The former Sunderland starlet is now up to 91 caps for England at senior level, and is set to add to that tally during the upcoming Nations League games.