DAVID SEAMAN has told Jordan Pickford he has to toughen up if he wants to stay England No 1.
The Three Lions legend still believes Everton keeper Pickford, 26, is Gareth Southgate’s first choice and would have been in goal had this summer’s Euros taken place.
That was despite a series of high-profile gaffes and Pickford’s complaint that he was now “hated” because of his status.
The 12-month Euros delay will put extra scrutiny on Pickford when football returns, especially if Dean Henderson continues to impress.
And Seaman, who won his own battle to be England’s top keeper for a decade under FIVE different managers, warned the Goodison goalie he simply has to accept the criticism.
The former Arsenal man said: “Jordan is No 1, no doubt. He made a couple of mistakes but, as a goalkeeper, it’s how you react afterwards that is important.
“That’s what tells you how good they are going to be.
“Jordan always rebounds in a positive manner and he’s a confident lad anyway.
“You don’t dismiss World Cup experience, the Nations League and qualifiers. You can’t throw that away at the first sign of trouble.
“Gareth’s thoughts would be exactly what Terry Venables’ were when he took over.
“He came to me and said ‘Right, you’re my No 1 and that’s it’. That really settled me down.”
Seaman feels Pickford cannot allow the flak to have an effect on him, pointing out it really is par for the course.
His own 75-cap England career ended after a Euro qualifying horror-show against Macedonia at Southampton in 2002.
He explained: “As England’s No 1, you get scrutinised whether it’s your fault or not.
“The reality is that that’s what you always get — I’ve been there and done it!
“He will get used to it. It’s a different way of life. He’s still young and learning.
“I was 26 when I made my debut and it wasn’t until later on that I became No 1.
“So I had a lot of experience to fall back on but Jordan’s still learning.
“Paul Robinson phoned me after the goal in Croatia (in 2006) that bobbled over his foot.
“He said to me ‘I can’t believe the amount of stick I’m getting’.
“It wasn’t really a mistake, it was just bad luck but he was England’s No 1.
“Every goal you let in gets scrutinised and even more so now with more angles and more cameras watching.”
What is critical, argued Seaman, is that Pickford does not show signs of the pressure getting to him.
If he does, then Southgate has enough time to blood alternatives, with Henderson, on loan at Sheffield United from Manchester United, at the front of the queue along with Burnley’s Nick Pope.
Seaman added: “You want a keeper who is steady and calm, capable of big saves. Jordan was still doing that. It’s about how you react after mistake — the good ones react positively.
“He is being pushed now and it will be interesting.
“Henderson is doing really well and looks very good.
“You need that competition but for a keeper you need to do it for a few seasons.
“When I was at Arsenal, it’s another level, then it’s England, then it’s playing at a tournament, then it’s playing at a World Cup.
“It’s always a step up and there’s more pressure but the more you’ve played the easier it is to handle.
“With Henderson, he’s got to keep building but he is doing that and he looks the part.
“For now, though, for me Pickford is still the No 1.”
