Can £40m Trafford challenge Pickford as England number one?
Pickford took possession after helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the fourth time this summer.
Thomas Tuchel spoke of his admiration for both Trafford and Henderson after being appointed England manager in 2024.
Trafford made his England debut in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay in March, but Pickford played every minute of the World Cup until the match against France, where Henderson started.
In doing so he surpassed Peter Shilton’s record of 17 World Cup appearances for England, finishing the tournament on 19th.
After England beat Mexico in the World Cup last 16 earlier this month, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: “I think he’s the first name on the team sheet. There’s no one else.”
Pickford has made 14 appearances in the European Championship, saving four of his 14 penalties in the competition’s major shootout shootout and leading England to victory against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup and against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The former Sunderland man has been a consistent performer over nine seasons with Everton, winning the club’s player of the season award three times in a row as they battle relegation between 2021 and 2024.
The 32-year-old has made 362 Premier League appearances in total, keeping 98 clean sheets and saving almost 70% of his shots, including 86% from outside the penalty area.
Only Arsenal’s David Raya has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
Pickford also won the competition’s season-saving award for the second time last season. notable reactionary stance, external Sandro Tonali’s volley sealed Everton’s 3-2 win at St James’ Park in February.
