Asmir Begovic has come to the defense of his Everton teammate, Jordan Pickford, after the England goalkeeper faced harsh criticism from former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, who labeled him a “bomb scare.” Pickford, who has been with Everton since his transfer from Sunderland in 2017, has made nearly 300 appearances for the club and earned 71 caps for his country. Throughout his career, he has faced his fair share of criticism, especially in his early years, but he has grown into a reliable performer for both club and country. While every goalkeeper is prone to making errors, Pickford has improved significantly and demonstrated his capabilities over time.
Souness’s comments came during a discussion on talkSPORT, where he expressed his ongoing concerns about Pickford’s performances. The former Liverpool captain did not hold back, saying, “I think he’s a bomb scare. I think he’s an accident waiting to happen.” He criticized Pickford’s demeanor on the field, particularly his tendency to rush off his line and gesture at his teammates after making saves, suggesting that this behavior was not conducive to team cohesion. Souness believes that a goalkeeper should ideally be calm and composed, likening their role to that of a referee who facilitates the game without drawing attention to themselves.
“That is the sign of our top goalkeeper, when he goes more or less through a game unnoticed,” Souness elaborated. His critique highlighted a perception that Pickford’s emotional reactions could be detrimental to his team’s confidence and performance. Souness emphasized his preference for goalkeepers who maintain a level-headed approach, stating, “I like a goalkeeper to be calm and go through the whole process of, ‘have a great game, but don’t make it all about you.’ And I just feel with Pickford it doesn’t look like that.”
Begovic, who returned to Everton in August for a second spell after previously playing there from 2021 to 2023, strongly disagreed with Souness’s assessment. With extensive experience working alongside Pickford, the Bosnian international expressed his bewilderment at Souness’s harsh words. “Oh no. God bless Graeme. I think what he says there is quite difficult to take in really,” Begovic remarked, clearly defending his teammate.
He continued, highlighting the positive attributes he has witnessed in Pickford over the years: “I’ve seen him now for three years and work with him on a daily basis and seen his quality, and I can genuinely say he’s world-class.” Begovic emphasized the mutual respect and friendship that has developed between them as they pushed each other in training. He noted that Pickford is entering what he believes is the prime stage of his career, a crucial time for goalkeepers to showcase their skills and leadership.
While Pickford did miss England’s recent victory over Finland, it was due to a rotational decision rather than a lack of confidence from the interim Three Lions coach, Lee Carsley. “There was a case of getting a look at a few different players, and we were always going to get a look at Dean in one of the games,” Carsley explained, indicating that the decision was part of a broader strategy to assess the team.
As Pickford continues to grow and evolve as a goalkeeper, he remains a vital asset for both Everton and the England national team. Begovic’s support serves as a reminder that the scrutiny players face can often lead to polarizing opinions, but strong camaraderie within the squad can help combat external criticisms. The goalkeeper’s ability to handle pressure, both on and off the field, will be crucial as he navigates the rest of the season, aiming to silence detractors and solidify his status as one of the top goalkeepers in the game.
