Ben Foster believes Jordan Pickford was ‘too slow’ to stop France’s first goal in England’s 2-1 defeat at the World Cup.
Aurelien Tchouameni gave France the lead in the first half with an impressive strike from around 25 yards out. Harry Kane equalised via the penalty spot in the 54th minute but Olivier Giroud restored France’s advantage with 12 minutes remaining.
Kane then had the chance to equalise again for England but the Three Lions captain skied his penalty over Hugo Lloris’ crossbar.
Pickford, meanwhile, was Gareth Southgate’s first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament and while Foster believes that was the correct decision, he feels Everton and England’s No.1 should have done better with Tchouameni’s effort.
‘The shot was from 25, 26 yards out, Jude Bellingham’s shutting him down initially, right on his toes, Bellingham’s about 25 yards from the goal and it’s gone through his legs. That has not put Jordan Pickford off whatsoever,’ Foster told The Cycling GK.
‘What I think has happened is he’s [Pickford] got a little bit slow at moving his feet.
‘I don’t think he’s estimated that the ball is going to be curling that quickly. But as a goalkeeper at that level, you have to almost overcompensate for that, you almost have to dive past the ball.
‘I think most Premier League goalies make that save, I really do. I think most Premier League goalies make that save, full stop.
‘I don’t think it was rifled [hit hard] and I don’t think it was right in the corner.
‘I think if you asked Jordan Pickford to look back at the goal I think he would hold his hands up and go, ‘I think I need to do better for that’.
‘Listen, I’m not slating Jordan Pickford, I’m trying to say what he would be feeling right now.
‘Afterwards, by the way, he was top class because he’s made a couple of really important saves, he looked comfortable, he’s England’s No.1 goalkeeper and I would never change that.’
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