Jordan Pickford's position as England's long-serving goalkeeper has become one of the main talking points of the October international break, after Thomas Tuchel left him out of the Three Lions' opening two Nations League fixtures and reports emerged of interest from Bayern Munich. The Everton stopper is nonetheless expected to return for Saturday's trip to Croatia in Rijeka.
Pickford left out as Tuchel hands Trafford back-to-back starts
The Toffees' star has been left on the bench by Thomas Tuchel for the Three Lions' first two Nations League games. Trafford started the 3-2 home loss to Spain, with Steele and long-standing No.1 Pickford on the bench.
Trafford was then kept in goal for the second fixture, with Trafford starting against Spain and the Czech Republic, with the German boss getting a 2-0 win in Prague. It marked the first time in years that Pickford had been overlooked for consecutive England matches.
A return against Croatia already pencilled in
Despite the rotation, Tuchel's plan always pointed towards Pickford coming back into the side for the final two games of the window. Thomas Tuchel has decided to play James Trafford in the first two games of England's UEFA Nations League campaign in this international break, with Pickford then expected to come back for the last two games.
Trafford will start again against Czechia, Pickford will play in Croatia and in the home fixture with Czechia, and Steele will continue as back-up for the remaining three games, fitness permitting. The Croatia match is scheduled for Saturday in Rijeka, before England return to Wembley to host Czechia on Tuesday.
What Tuchel has said about the goalkeeper battle
Asked to justify sticking with Trafford for a second successive game, Tuchel was clear that the experiment was about building depth rather than discarding his long-time No.1. "We just want to see who else is capable of producing performances for us, who else is ready for a challenge and ready to challenge Jordan Pickford, who did so well for us over so many years," the England manager said.
Trafford, for his part, has welcomed the opportunity while stressing the relationship between the two keepers remains good. Trafford said it's every goalkeeper's dream and every footballer's dream to play for England and start for England, adding that everyone believes they can start and is trying to prove it, but that he and Pickford get along really well.
Pickford's standing in the squad remains considerable: with 91 caps, two Euros finals and the second-most World Cup appearances for England, the Everton stopper has plenty of credit in the bank, but succession planning is clearly underway.
Bayern Munich circling as Everton stand firm
The goalkeeping debate has been sharpened by transfer talk from Germany. Bayern Munich have reportedly added Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to their list of options as they consider their goalkeeping plans beyond 2027, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that Bayern are gathering information on the 32-year-old.
However, any move looks far from imminent. Pickford is also reported to have moved ahead of Bart Verbruggen among Bayern's potential targets, although there is no suggestion at this stage that an approach has been made to Everton. On Merseyside, the message has been consistent: Everton have no intention of selling Pickford, with the goalkeeper having signed a new four-year contract in October 2025 that keeps him at the club until 2029, and there has been no indication that he wants to leave.
Separate reporting has echoed that stance. Sources close to the situation indicate that Everton are confident the 32-year-old will remain at the club, where he is contracted until 2029, although Bayern are reportedly interested, they are not believed to be close to making a formal approach.
What comes next
For now, the two storylines run in parallel. On the pitch, Pickford has the chance to reassert himself in Croatia, a country with a recent and eventful history against England in major tournaments, before a home game against Czechia at Wembley completes the October window.
Off it, the Bayern links are likely to resurface periodically between now and any potential move in 2027, with Everton's contractual position giving them control over the goalkeeper's immediate future. Tuchel, meanwhile, continues to weigh his options between Pickford and Trafford with the 2028 European Championship in mind.