Jordan Pickford told where to improve if he’s to join EPL big guns

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Neil Cutler has urged Everton star Jordan Pickford to improve one aspect of his game to boost his chances of joining one of the Premier League’s top clubs.

The 29-year-old has been among the best-performing English shot-stoppers for years, establishing himself as Gareth Southgate’s first-choice keeper in the national team.

Despite being the Three Lions’ number one at three consecutive major tournaments and developing into one of the best goalies in the Premier League, Cutler believes Pickford can still enhance his shape.

“I think he’s got a lot of strengths – his distribution of the ball,” he told talkSPORT.

“He’s got a real mixed bag of clubs in terms of he can play out, he can play through, he can play over, he can play around. He’s really comfortable in possession.

“I think he needs just a little bit more consistency in his shape. You’ve just got to fine-tune him a little bit.

“With his shape, he can be a little erratic when he moves around the goal but that’s my philosophy and the way I work.”

Pickford played a standout role in helping Everton keep hold a top-flight status by the skin of their teeth last season and continued in the same fashion this term.

His loyalty and impressive performances between the sticks earned him a new long-term contract earlier this year.

After signing a new deal, the Englishman has pledged his future to Goodison Park until 2027, putting the Toffees in a strong bargaining position going into the summer transfer window.

But several elite Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are still assessing the prospect of approaching Everton with lucrative offers to lure Pickford away from Merseyside.

The Red Devils still cannot tie David de Gea down to a new contract, while Spurs are searching for a long-term replacement for captain Hugo Lloris.

The Frenchman is 36 and has one year left to run on his deal in north London, forcing the club to reach deep into their pockets to sign a new keeper.

Pickford could be an ideal go-to option, especially if Everton fail to secure Premier League survival this season.