Carlo Ancelotti reveals he has demanded more from erratic Jordan Pickford

Carlo Ancelotti has demanded a significant improvement in form from Jordan Pickford and spoken to Everton‘s goalkeeper about his drop in quality.

Pickford, the England No 1, has had an erratic time since the Premier League restarted last month and his last three performances against Tottenham, Southampton and Wolves have mirrored Everton’s team in general. Ancelotti, bluntly, says the 26-year-old is ‘not doing well.’

Though Pickford’s place in the national team is under threat from Burnley‘s Nick Pope – who has kept 14 clean sheets – and Dean Henderson, there is no credible challenge to his position at Goodison Park, as current No 2 Maarten Stekelenburg is returning to Ajax.

Carlo Ancelotti has demanded more from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after poor form

England’s No 1 ‘keeper has had an erratic time since the Premier League restarted last month

Ancelotti is debating whether to bring in another goalkeeper when the transfer window opens but, more than anything, he wants Pickford to get back to the levels of which he is capable and has reminded him of the standards that are expected.

‘I don’t know if he needs competition,’ said Ancelotti, whose side face Aston Villa on Thursday. ‘I know that he is not doing well. I spoke with him. He’s not doing well. He has to be focused on himself, on his performance – day by day (he has) to try to be better.

‘I’m not so worried because he has quality. He has character but I have to say to him – and I have said to him – that he has to improve. I don’t know if he does or doesn’t feel pressure; pressure is a part of your job. You have to feel pressure but pressure can be a good gasoline for your job.

Ancelotti is debating whether to bring in a new goalkeeper over the summer transfer window

‘I – and everyone else at the club – has total confidence in his quality. It is true he can do better and he knows this because he is critical of himself. I hope there is improvement in the next games. I spoke to him (on Tuesday) about this.

‘There is absolutely no problem (between us). For the quality that he has – and he agreed – he has to be better. My style is to have a direct relationship and direct communication with the players. If something is wrong I have to say clearly what is wrong.’

Everton, similarly, must improve. Ancelotti was furious with the meek manner in which they crumbled at Wolves on Sunday and called their attitude ‘unacceptable’. 

He has made it clear repeats will not be tolerated in their final three fixtures.

‘In the last few days we have focused on the attitude,’ said Ancelotti, who will have Andre Gomes and Mason Holgate back in his squad. ‘In training I have seen a different attitude and I hope that (against Villa) it will be the same in the game.’

Pickford has had a conversation with Ancelotti who reminded him of the standards required