All those clubs have one thing in common that set them apart from us: they have the ability to drop a GK. We dont and it plays into his lack of focus. And by the way, the contestation that he's had a good season is for the birds. He's been erratic ALL season.
He's a bang average keeper. And d'you know what? In all the arguments around this today and all the responses I've had, I haven't had a really spirited defence of Pickford when I've stated that he's mediocre...now that tells its own story.
Forget the England caps, this feller is nowhere near some of the keepers we've had. He's a no mark and will remain one. No top club will come in for that lad. None.
Mate we can't debate every single point. And to me, it's obvious he's a very good prospect and currently a good goalkeeper. There's no point in fixating our debate on that because noone is likely to back down.
Going back to your point about those teams being able to drop their keeper....are they?!
Madrid maybe, Navas is a very good GK.
But at club level, can Utd drop De Gea for Romero or, I think, Randolph?
Can Chelsea drop Kepa for Cabellero?
Lloris for Gazziniga?
Ederson for Bravo?
Allison for Mignolet?
It's an absolute myth that the top clubs have two outstanding keepers breathing down each others necks for a starting spot.
He certainly does lack concentration, as did Allison when he tried to Cruyff turn against Brighton (I think?), costing the RS a goal.
So whilst Pickford needs to improve, so does the world's second most expensive keeper, none other than Brazil's number one.
Context.