Sean Dyche calls on Jordan Pickford to control his emotions in Everton’s battle against relegation

Sean Dyche wants Jordan Pickford to be captain cool to help save Everton from relegation — again.

Pickford has taken the armband from injured Seamus Coleman and was in inspired form in their 5-1 win at Brighton last Monday that took Sean Dyche’s team out of the bottom three. The one flaw in the 29-year-old’s game is sometimes getting over-excited and, ahead of today’s clash with Manchester City, Dyche has reminded him the rest of the team looks to him as a role model.

‘Pickford has athleticism, shot-stopping, speed around the area and a lot of experience. That’s the package of a very good goalkeeper,’ said Dyche about his England No1. ‘I’ve told him he can choose when to be emotional and fire up people and when to be calm. He’s getting older and wiser in his professional outlook and other players will observe him. You can see the picture of the game as a goalkeeper. I’ve never talked to keepers about technical handling but I’ve always spoken to them about tactical understanding because they see it better as they mature.

‘They can keep adding to their game by looking at the defensive planning and organisation. Can you stop the ball even getting near you? The best goalkeepers have done that well down the years.’

One of Pickford’s strengths is his range of passing, something that convinced Gareth Southgate to play him at the World Cup ahead of Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope, who also worked for Dyche at Burnley.

Sean Dyche has called on Jordan Pickford to control his emotions in Everton’s relegation battle

Pickford has been in fine form for the Toffees in recent weeks, making several stunning saves

‘He strikes a really good ball,’ said Dyche. ‘I remember his delivery being fantastic even as a young kid when he played against Burnley for Preston.

‘Manchester City play with extra fire when Ederson drills it a long distance and it’s something we’ve definitely spoken about using with Jordan. Why wouldn’t you? It is the modern side of football. I want good football but also effective football. He is certainly going to have to play well against City. Usually, your goalkeeper has to make saves against them.’

Manchester United are among clubs who are reportedly keeping tabs on Pickford but Dyche does not see any issues about his loyalty. ‘He has just signed a really long-term contract so that is pretty good sign that he wants to be here,’ added the Everton boss.

Pickford was Everton’s stand-out performer when they beat the drop on the penultimate day of last season and Dyche does not mind the odd fist-pump from his ‘keeper after a great save. ‘You want to show a bit of energy for the crowd,’ he said.

Even a relegation scrap can have lighter moments. On a visit to pensioners last week as part of an Everton in the Community project, Dyche was collared by one lady and given advice on substitutions.

Dyche urged his No.1 to ‘choose when to be emotional and fire up people and when to be calm’

Everton are teetering above the bottom three following Monday’s superb win over Brighton