Match of the Day pundits, Jermaine Jenas and Ian Wright, have been having their say on the debate over Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson for England.
Pickford has come under the microscope this season after a number of high-profile mistakes. Meanwhile, Henderson has been in superb form for the Blades, keeping nine clean sheets for Chris Wilder’s men.
However, Gareth Southgate has yet to select Henderson ahead of Pickford as yet. But with friendlies this month and Euro 2020 just around the corner, the topic of Pickford losing his place is gathering pace.
And on MOTD last night, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t9y1both Wright and Jenas were putting their cases forward for both ‘keepers.
“The reason why Henderson has gone to Sheffield United and done exceptionally well is to get the kind of experience to go back to play for Manchester United,” Wright said when talking about Henderson replacing David De Gea at United.
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“Yes De Gea is brilliant but the fact is you’ve got a goalkeeper who is pushing him“.
Meanwhile, Jenas jumped in with his comments on the England situation and backed Pickford, thanks to his experience at international level already.
“You need to have something about you to play for England. And we’ve not seen that with Henderson yet,” Jenas said.
“He will feel different when he steps onto the field at Wembley or in that England shirt. At least we know with Pickford he can handle that pressure. We are yet to see that with Henderson but he definitely has those capabilities”.
Pickford made a number of good saves late on against Manchester United yesterday after an earlier mistake.
However, he did draw the wrath of Roy Keane following the game, with the Irishman insisting that being a good shot stopper is the bare minimum Pickford should offer.
Henderson just has to keep going
There’s little more Dean Henderson can do really. He’s been in fine form and has helped United into touching distance of sealing a place in Europe.
The talk from Jenas of having something about you to play for England is interesting. Most Blades fans would say Henderson definitely has a swagger and confidence about him to handle the pressures discussed.
If Henderson can keep up his performance levels and Pickford continues to drop the odd clanger, then it might well just be enough for Gareth Southgate to change his mind come the summer.