England World Cup squad selector: Should Gareth Southgate take a chance on Nick Pope for Russia 2018
Paul Higham says Gareth Southgate should let Nick Pope prove his World Cup credentials in England's upcoming friendlies.
Goalkeeper is probably the most confusing puzzle England manager Southgate has to solve heading into the international friendlies this week, with question marks about all the usual front-runners.
The answer could be a gamble on the impressive Nick Pope, who has been called up to the England squad for the first time by Gareth Southgate. He’s a 12/1 outsider to start England’s first World Cup game in Russia but on form this season he’s been the best of the bunch.
Joe Hart has not really recovered from being jettisoned by Manchester City, while there are still question marks over Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland – and going on form this season Pope would surely get the nod.
England World Cup betting
Southgate has said the number one spot is up for grabs, and if he’s brave enough Pope deserves to be given a chance over the next two friendlies against the Netherland and Italy.
With Hart out of form, and goals flying past Butland and Pickford, Burnley captain Tom Heaton would most likely be England’s No.1 if fit, but he’s now being kept out of the team by Pope and that in itself tells the story.
It’s no real slight on Pickford and Butland, who have not been too bad in goal for Everton and Stoke respectively, but they’ve each picked the ball out of their nets 50 times in the league alone this season – and that can’t be good for confidence.
Saturday’s game at Stoke saw the two go head-to-head and they both showed their weaknesses as they both should have done better on goals they conceded, which would have given Southgate something to think about.
Southgate’s options (Sky Bet odds to start first World Cup game)
Nick Pope 12/1
Played 27 Conceded 22 Clean sheets 10
10 – Nick Pope has conceded 22 Premier League goals this season, but based on Opta xG data for the shots on target he’s faced, the average goalkeeper would have been expected to concede 32. Only David de Gea (14) has a bigger differential in the Premier League this season. Lion. pic.twitter.com/nfDnQ60YmN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 15, 2018
Thrust into the Premier League when Heaton went down injured, but has looked at home from almost day one. A good all-rounder, Pope doesn’t really have a weakness and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and seems to have a presence that helps Burnley’s tough defence.
He lacks experience but that hasn't faxed him so far, and only three teams have conceded less goals in the Premier League and Pope has been a big part of that.
Joe Hart 7/2
Played 15 Conceded 33 Clean Sheets 3
I’m not sure I’d even consider Hart for the squad, although he’s a certainty to go as the ‘experienced option’ that people seem to crave. I’d much rather have a goalkeeper full of confidence and without the mental scars that Hart undoubtedly has.
His Euro 2016 was a tournament to forget and since then things haven’t really improved. It’s a shame to see such a talented keeper suffering but there are better options going forward and my preference would be to take younger keepers who will be vying for the position in the next few tournaments.
Jack Butland 15/8
Played 28 Conceded 51 Clean Sheets 5
Butland missed out on Euro 2016 due to injury when he was absolutely flying, looking unbeatable at times, and there’s just a niggle that he’s not managed to get totally back to his best. He’s not done anything majorly wrong this season but he doesn’t seem to be pulling off the saves he used to.
He should be in the squad, and should have a chance to challenge for the gloves for that first game, but Southgate should be reasonably confident in what Butland offers, and he could get a half or at least some minutes between now and Russia.
Jordan Pickford 10/11
Played 31 Conceded 50 Clean Sheets 7
Similar to Butland in that Pickford has not made too many errors, but like Butland picking the ball out of your net over 50 times is not a great confidence builder for a huge tournament like a World Cup.
Pickford’s distribution is excellent, the best of the lot, but he doesn’t quite offer the presence that Pope and Butland do in their area – that was highlighted by the goal he conceded against Stoke when he should have come and claimed a floated cross quite comfortably.
He’s favourite to start in the World Cup, but although he’d be in my squad for certain he would be behind Pope and Butland.
Wildcards (Sky Bet odds to make world Cup squad)
A few wildcards to throw into the mix, as there is sure to be clamour for an experienced keeper to travel to Russia with the squad even if just to offer some help and guidance to the top two choices. If Hart’s form continues to dip he could slide out of contention and these two would be my options instead.
Tom Heaton (9/1)
A short price for a keeper who’s hardly played this season, but this could make sense if Southgate really fancies the look of Pope – what better way to help a young goalkeeper settle than to have his club-mate alongside him.
Heaton’s also been vying for the No.1 spot himself when fit so wouldn’t let anyone down.
Ben Foster (33/1)
While it’s not quite certain if Foster’s officially still retired or not, he’s done it before and returned to take part in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil – and in fact he’s actually the last keeper to play in a World Cup for England.
West Brom have conceded a bucket-load but you’d be hard pressed to find many that were his fault, he’s been under siege but has pulled off some brilliant saves this season, and unlike the younger pair he’s experienced enough to deal with playing for a relegation-threatened team and shake it off.
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