Does Pickford finally face serious competition for his England place?

When England head coach Thomas Tuchel decided to pick Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford to face World Cup holders Spain at Wembley in the last international break, it sparked the first stirrings about preparations for life without long-time first choice Jordan Pickford.

Tuchel made it clear Pickford was still England's number one pick, but the simple fact he decided to alternate keepers - playing Trafford in the 3-2 loss to Spain then victory against Czech Republic, before Everton's 32-year-old returned for the Wembley win against the Czechs and the 7-0 rout in Croatia - created intrigue and debate.

England meet Croatia at Wembley on Thursday before facing the biggest test of their Uefa Nations League campaign when the play Spain in Madrid on Sunday.

Tuchel maintains strong faith in Pickford, an outstanding performer for England, but Trafford has at least had the chance to stake his claim.

Tuchel has suggested he may use a rotation system for the pair once more in the upcoming internationals, which will only increase scrutiny on England's goalkeeping position.

Pickford's record is outstanding since he made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Germany at Wembley in 2017.

In his time as first choice, England have once more emerged as major players on global stage, reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and 2026, as well as successive Euros finals at the delayed 2020 tournament and Euro 2024.

Measured by Opta stats, Pickford has made only two errors leading to goals in 93 appearances, with 46 clean sheets and a 74% save ratio.

Trafford's international career is in its infancy and, while former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Pickford remains Tuchel's undisputed first choice, he believes the head coach's recent strategy is a sensible one.

Robinson told BBC Sport: "It obviously remains to be seen what Thomas Tuchel does in these two England games, but I could see exactly what he was doing by giving James Trafford game time in the last round of matches.

"We are so guilty as a nation of taking one goalkeeper to a tournament who has 70, 80, 90 caps, then the two of three below him could have less than double figures combined."

Robinson's point is proved by the statistic that 80 of Pickford's appearances have been competitive games, with 33 at major tournaments, made up of 19 at the World Cup and 14 at European Championships.

"Competitive and tournament caps give you the type of experience you can't get as a number two or three keeper," said Robinson.

"James Trafford is only 24 and has four caps - two of them competitive - so you can see exactly what Tuchel is doing, looking ahead to a situation where England's recognised number one is not available to him, or there is a drop off in form.

"We saw the last selections and all thought Jordan Pickford's place is under threat and James Trafford is going to be the next number one. I don't think Thomas Tuchel saw it as starkly or simply as that.

"It's a conversation that will definitely take place down the road, but not now. Jordan is England's first choice, in my opinion, rightfully so given his consistency and performances over such a long period.

"This is a debate and conversation for the future definitely because Father Time catches up with everyone eventually and the manager needs to have a contingency plan, but Jordan Pickford very much remains number one and Thomas Tuchel has said as much.

"I don't think Jordan Pickford is under threat for his jersey on a permanent basis any time soon, irrespective of the next selection, but what Tuchel is doing reinforces the impression that he has to be at the top of his game and maintain high standards, which he certainly has been doing when I've watched him this season.

"The biggest compliment I can pay Jordan Pickford is that when you have got that England goalkeeper's shirt, everybody thinks somebody else should be doing it. I know that from personal experience.

"You're there to be shot at, but there has been no noise around Jordan Pickford for a very long time now.

"It has worked both ways for Jordan, James and Thomas Tuchel, and worked very well. Jordan knows he can't rest on his laurels and he will just play regardless. He has to be playing well.

"Is James Trafford challenging Jordan Pickford right now? Yes he is - if Jordan Pickford isn't playing very well and Jordan Pickford is making errors.

"None of the above are true right now because he's playing well for Everton and has done nothing wrong for England."

Robinson also drew on club form to support Pickford's case. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, only Arsenal's title-winning keeper David Raya has more clean sheets in the league than Pickford at Everton.

Raya has 39 clean sheets in that time, while Pickford has 27, with Robinson saying: "That's a superb record and all logic tells you Pickford will have to work a lot harder for his clean sheets than David Raya."

Trafford staked his claim in those Nations League games against Spain and the Czech Republic, putting him at the forefront of Tuchel's thoughts as the main understudy to Pickford.

Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson is now back in contention after injury and hoping to add to his six caps, although he has not been included in Tuchel's latest squad.

Trafford moved to Leeds United from Manchester City in the summer in a British record deal for a goalkeeper that could be worth up to £45m.

It came after a £23m move to City from Burnley the previous summer, when his hopes of becoming Pep Guardiola's first choice were unexpectedly ended by the decision to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain.

Robinson said: "James Trafford needed that move to Leeds United and Leeds United needed a keeper of his level. This is a match made in heaven.

"And don't forget, in a Premier League career with Burnley, Manchester City and Leeds United, Trafford has only played 42 Premier League games – just a little more than a full season – and one Champions League game. He needs this experience.

"He's got a huge amount of potential, with his quality, all-round goalkeeping and mental approach. He has the potential be England's future number one, which Tuchel clearly sees him to be.

"He has the mentality to reach the very top, which is very difficult because not all goalkeepers have that. It's a tough place to be, a very lonely place to be, but he has the ability to cope with that situation.

"I was at Bournemouth when he made an error in the Leeds United defeat there, but, knowing the type of character he, is it won't faze him. It won't bother him. Because of his personality and his character traits, he has got the ability to go right to the top.

"You'd think Dean Henderson will be back in the squad in due course once he has played more games.

"Jason Steele is in there again, but he's a mentor figure behind the scenes, not someone who will ever start or threaten the established goalkeepers.

"If you rewind back 18 or 24 months, you had Nick Pope, Sam Johnstone, James Trafford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford - a real plethora of England goalkeepers.

"Now Nick Pope is not playing at Newcastle United, Sam Johnstone's not in the equation and Aaron Ramsdale is nowhere near."

Ramsdale's decline has been dramatic after leaving Arsenal for Southampton in August 2024, with a loan spell at Newcastle United proving to be unsuccessful. He has effectively been fourth choice at Saints this season, failing to make matchday squads.

Robinson said: "I find Aaron Ramsdale's situation very sad because I believe he's a goalkeeper able to play at the top level.

"He should be in this conversation because he's a goalkeeper I really like, but he's been very unfortunate with selection of clubs and the way their season have gone. I still think there is time for him to come back into the reckoning.

"For now, though, if there is a conversation to be had about England's goalkeepers, then Jordan Pickford and James Trafford is that conversation, with Jordan still very much the number one right now as far as I'm concerned."