Everton would find themselves in “deep trouble” without Jordan Pickford, given their ongoing struggles in the final third, according to Gary Lineker.
Speaking on Match of the Day (4 January), Lineker didn’t hold back in his assessment of his former club’s performance during their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
The Toffees failed to score for the eighth time in their last 10 matches, leaving Lineker to describe them as “hard to watch.”
Pickford delivered a standout performance, making key saves to keep the game goalless for much of the match. However, with Everton offering little attacking threat, Lineker shared his blunt view on their reliance on the England goalkeeper.
He said: “Everton though, boy… Their last 10 games – they’ve failed to score in eight of them, and to be perfectly honest, but for Jordan Pickford, they’d be in deep trouble. I mean I love Everton, I really do, but boy oh boy, they’re hard to watch at the moment.”
Lineker’s Verdict Reflects Everton’s Dire Attacking Form
Everton’s attacking struggles are clear in the numbers. Drawing blanks in eight of their last 10 matches, they are the Premier League’s second-lowest scorers this season, ahead of only Southampton, who are rooted to the bottom of the table.
The team has failed to find the net in four of their last five games since their emphatic 4-0 victory over Wolves at Goodison Park—a result that now looks like an anomaly in an otherwise bleak campaign.
Sean Dyche’s decision to start Armando Broja over Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front against Bournemouth didn’t pay off, with the Albanian forward forced off injured after just 32 minutes.
Calvert-Lewin, who has struggled for form and fitness all season, is expected to return to the starting lineup for Everton’s next league game on 15 January.
However, with only two goals to his name this season, his inclusion provides little reassurance for fans.
January Window Offers Hope but Highlights Deeper Issues
The January transfer window could present an opportunity for Everton to address their lack of firepower, with reinforcements in attack desperately needed.
However, the team’s inability to score consistently suggests the issues run deeper than personnel.
With just a few weeks to make crucial moves, Everton will need to act decisively to avoid further sinking into the Premier League’s relegation battle. But as Lineker’s analysis underlines, wholesale changes may be the only long-term solution to their current woes.
