Jordan Pickford could quickly become Everton liability if officials crack down on 'out of control' star
Jordan Pickford may soon be having words with Everton's staff behind the scenes after yet another reckless incident on the pitch.
The goalkeeper is never a stranger to making himself the pantomime villain on Merseyside, and that was no different during the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, 26 April.
After being booked for dissent against Liverpool, the England international was fortunate not to receive a red card, let alone concede a penalty, after a late challenge on striker Taty Castellanos.
Speaking to Football Insider, Keith Hackett said that Pickford was "out of control" and could have easily seen red from Stuart Attwell, as Everton fell to defeat against West Ham in a key Premier League clash.
Jordan Pickford has a history of making dangerous challenges
Everton supporters wouldn't have been surprised in the slightest when Pickford dived into this challenge, and it would have been very difficult to argue against the goalkeeper being sent off in that moment.
Both Liverpool and Chelsea fans are well aware of his tendency to throw himself into tackles like this, with Virgil van Dijk injured for eight months, while Malo Gusto narrowly avoided the dangerous incident.
He is becoming increasingly reckless when making these judgments. Of course, the goalkeeper has every right to block a goal-bound shot, but when it puts an opposition player at risk, he's doing something wrong.
| Everton's Premier League campaigns | No. of red cards |
| 2025-26 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | 1 |
| 2022-23 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | 6 |
Until he gets caught out, it is unlikely that anything will be done about the Everton star. However, with Howard Webb's officials being urged to take action, that could quickly change.
Everton could have a major problem between the sticks
Pickford has been Everton's No.1 since the 2017-18 season, with nobody able to replace him during his nine years on Merseyside, but with VAR becoming increasingly eagle-eyed, he could be in trouble.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Everton have no plans to move Pickford on this summer, and understandably so. He's one of the most talented keepers in the league. If anything, he's underrated.
However, more and more rival fans are complaining about the challenges that he leaves on their players, with his potential ankle-breaker on Castellanos just another to add to his growing list.
The PGMOL are being pressured into taking closer attention, and that could spell news for Everton's No.1.