Tuchel picks Trafford over Pickford for England v Spain
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed James Trafford will start in goal for England against Spain in Madrid, with Jordan Pickford rested for the Nations League game.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal against Spain in Madrid on Sunday, with Jordan Pickford dropping out after playing against Croatia. Tuchel said the two goalkeepers will share the games, as they did in the last international break.
Key facts
- Tuchel confirmed Trafford will play against Spain on Sunday.
- Pickford started the 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley on Thursday.
- Trafford is 24 and had four caps, two of them competitive, before this break.
- Pickford has made two errors leading to goals in 93 England appearances, with 46 clean sheets, according to Opta.
- Kick-off in Madrid is at 7:45pm GMT on Sunday.
Why Trafford starts in Madrid
Speaking at England's pre-match press conference at the Metropolitano Stadium, Tuchel said: "James Trafford will play tomorrow. We will share the matches [in goal] like we did in the last [international break]."
He described it as a chance for the Leeds United goalkeeper to be tested at a high level. "We want to see how far Traff is," Tuchel said, adding that goalkeepers rarely get such opportunities and that the Nations League offers a high-pressure environment to try him.
Pickford, who plays for Everton, started Thursday's 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley. Victory over Spain can secure England top spot in the group and potentially an easier quarter-final opponent in March. Tuchel also confirmed that Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence are available again, giving him a full choice in defence.
Another report points out that Trafford conceded three goals the last time he faced Spain, in England's 3-2 defeat at Wembley, and calls the selection a surprise. The same report says Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner and Josh King were left out when the 26-man squad was cut to 23 for the match.
Is Pickford's place under threat?
BBC Sport's Phil McNulty wrote before the break that Tuchel has made clear Pickford is still England's number one, but that alternating the two keepers has created debate. Pickford is 32 and has played 93 times for England since his debut in 2017. Opta figures put his record at two errors leading to goals, 46 clean sheets and a 74% save ratio.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Sport that Pickford remains the undisputed first choice, but that giving Trafford game time is sensible planning. He pointed out that 80 of Pickford's caps are competitive and 33 came at major tournaments, experience a number two or three cannot easily gain. Trafford, he noted, is 24 with four caps, two of them competitive.
Robinson described the question of who succeeds Pickford as a debate for the future rather than now.
How to watch
The game kicks off at 7:45pm GMT on Sunday and is shown on ITV1 in the UK from 7pm.
Frequently asked questions
Who is England's goalkeeper against Spain?
James Trafford of Leeds United, according to Thomas Tuchel.
Has Jordan Pickford been dropped?
Not permanently. Tuchel said the two goalkeepers will share the matches, as in the previous international break, and Pickford played against Croatia on Thursday.
How many caps does James Trafford have?
Four before this break, two of them competitive, according to Paul Robinson in BBC Sport.
What is at stake in England v Spain?
A win can secure England top spot in the group and potentially an easier opponent in the quarter-finals in March.
