FORMER England keeper Ben Foster says current Three Lions No 1 Jordan Pickford should have saved France’s World Cup quarter-final opening goal on Saturday.
Everton star Pickford, 28, was crestfallen after Aurelien Tchouameni’s low 25-yard effort beat his out-stretched dive to set up a 2-1 win for the defending champions.
APJordan Pickford could not stretch enough to keep out Aurelien Tchouameni’s shot[/caption]
GettyAurelien Tchouameni and French team-mates celebrate his opening goal[/caption]
GettyJordan Pickford was beaten twice as England exited Qatar 2022[/caption]
Foster, 39, played for clubs including Stoke, Manchester United, West Brom and Watford before retiring in September.
He believes most over Premier League keepers would have saved Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni’s drive.
Pickford, 28, was not helped by the shot going through the legs of England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
But speaking on his benfcyclinggk TikTok account, Foster said: “It was about 25 or 26 yards out, Bellingham’s about 25 yards from the goal, and it’s gone through his legs.
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“That has not put Jordan Pickford off whatsoever, right?
“You almost have to dive past the ball, do you know what I mean?
“I think most Premier League goalies make that save, I really do.
“I think most Premier League goalies make that save, full stop.”
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Foster, who won his eight caps between 2007 and 2014, also rejected the suggestion that Tchouameni’s strike was just too good to stop.
He added: “I don’t think it was – I don’t think it was rifled and I don’t think it was right in the corner.
“I think if you show Jordan Pickford to look back at the goal, I think he’ll hold his hands up and say, I think I can do better for that’.”‘