Football

World Cup 2022: Goalkeeper coach laughs off Lloris and ‘extremely average’ Pickford comparisons

World Cup 2022: Goalkeeper coach laughs off Lloris and ‘extremely average’ Pickford comparisons

England number one Jordan Pickford is ‘extremely average,’ according to former Chelsea goalkeeper coach Christophe Lollichon.

As reported by Eurosport, Lollichon, who spent 15 years with Chelsea, has blamed the England shot-stopper for Olivier Giroud’s goal in the quarter-final meeting against France.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker leapt highest to head in, with Pickford criticised for being ‘almost behind his line’ when the cross was sent in by Antoine Griezmann.

The world champions won the game 2-1 in Qatar, advancing to the semi-finals and sending England home in the process.

Pickford was given the nod by Gareth Southgate in Qatar over Newcastle’s Nick Pope and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale. The duo are both enjoying strong club seasons so far.

England goalkeeper Pickford ‘extremely average’

Pickford’s positioning for the opening goal on Saturday, scored by young midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, was recently questioned by ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster.

But Lollichon, who has also worked with French sides Rennes and FC Nantes, says the goalkeeper should have done better for France’s second goal of the evening.

“I saw the controversy started by English journalists who preferred Jordan Pickford to Hugo Lloris,” said Lollichon. “But the English journalists who judge the goalkeepers are as good as the English goalkeepers… It’s absolutely ridiculous. 

“Pickford is extremely average and that shows the level of specialists in England. As soon as one of them makes four saves and multiplies that over a few matches, he is selectable… On Giroud’s goal, Pickford is almost behind his line when Griezmann crosses.”

Pickford

Lollichon: Pickford takes back seat to Lloris

While Lollichon did not have very many kind words for Everton goalkeeper Pickford, he did have plenty of positive things to say about Tottenham Hotspur and France number one Lloris.

Pickford kept three clean sheets on England’s route to the quarter-final, two in the group stages against the USA and Wales, and one in the round of 16 win over Senegal. He currently tops the clean sheet standings in Qatar, level with Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.

Lloris meanwhile has yet to keep a clean sheet at the tournament. The Spurs goalkeeper has conceded one goal in each of his four matches.

But former Chelsea goalkeeper coach Lollichon was full of his praise for the France number one, saying: “Hugo was good against the English even if he is a little lucky on the outing against Kane because he goes too fast on the ground.

“On his line, Hugo is one of the best in the world. We can compare him to Jan Oblak, he is now stronger than David De Gea in this area. This is its strength. In the air domain, there is a little more. But he is miles away from Bounou in foot control.

“Afterwards, he was trained like that and we don’t ask him anything else. Hugo fulfils his role perfectly. In 143 selections, he never really cost a match, it’s huge. He has remarkable consistency and is a great stabiliser in the locker room. 

“Mike Maignan is more complete but Didier Deschamps has no interest in putting it on given what Hugo gives off. In the aerial field, he is far, his kicking game is weak: so what?”


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