Gareth Southgate has launched a staunch defence of Wearsider Jordan Pickford ahead of the huge last 16 clash with Germany at Wembley on Tuesday.
The England boss feels that Pickford has had a calm presence for the Three Lions and has been impressed with his performances so far after three clean sheets in the tournament.
However, Pickford's displays have been heavily scrutinised by ITV pundit Lee Dixon who has sounded like a man who's hard to please when it comes to anything connected with the Everton goalie.
Nevertheless, Southgate said: "He’s been excellent.
"The last couple of months of the season, his performances have been very calm for his club.
"He's been decisive at the right moments for us.
"You've seen the range of passing he’s got.
"He's dropped a few in to the front players.
“It's like a striker scoring goals - we goalkeepers want clean sheets.
“The biggest thing is having that resilience in goal, helping your team-mates have the best opportunity to win the game.”
Pickford's record for England now stands at 10 clean sheets in his last 16 games for the Three Lions.
