‘He can make the difference’: Pundit was really impressed by Everton man, he’s filling his team with confidence

Everton suffered their second defeat on the bounce yesterday, losing 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

Frank Lampard’s side held on until the hour mark before Harry Kane dispatched a penalty.

Speaking on Astro Supersport, Stiliyan Petrov was speaking about Jordan Pickford.

Petrov talked about how impressed he’s been by Pickford, despite his mistake giving away the spot kick for Spurs.

Pickford has been in brilliant form this season, despite only having one clean sheet to his name.

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Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

The England international has an 85% save percentage this campaign, an increase of 16% on last season.

Former England international David Seaman has already been impressed by his shot-stopping this season.

Garth Crooks believes Lampard has transformed Pickford’s game, and Petrov was in agreement.

The former Celtic and Aston Villa midfielder believes Pickford’s performances are giving his teammates plenty of confidence.

The 28-year-old has been brilliant with the ball at his feet and starting attacks.

Petrov has been really impressed with Pickford, and believes Everton now are just missing a target man to get the best out of the goalkeeper’s distribution.

Speaking about the Everton ‘keeper, Petrov said: “He has definitely put himself in the frame where he can make the difference (for Everton).

“When he’s at his best, when he does well, he does protect the team, he does give them this confidence.

“He was up against one of the top strikers in the world and his reaction was instant.

“He’s got the quality, he’s a completely different goalkeeper than others.

“Managers now use goalkeepers as outfield players, unfortunately at Everton he’s probably not had a manager to test him, to see if he can do it.

“At the moment, they don’t have a target man, he’s keeps kicking the ball perfectly, and it keeps coming back.

“If you remember two seasons ago, he was playing balls, and players were getting on the end of it and he makes the difference.

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“At the moment, it’s about saves, it’s about making the difference there.

“I would say he’s in the top five (Premier League goalkeepers).”

Pickford will be disappointed with how Tottenham’s first goal came about, after bringing down Kane in the box.

He dove the right way from the resulting penalty, but couldn’t get close to the England captain’s spot kick.

Petrov has been impressed with Pickford regardless of that mistake, and thinks he’s key to Everton’s confidence.

Everton travel to Newcastle on Wednesday, and Pickford will need to be on top form to keep Eddie Howe’s side out.

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