Your age will have a lot to do with any list of the most underrated Englandplayers of all time but there are probably a couple of shoo-ins from the past few decades.
In this context, when we talk about being ‘underrated’, let’s park those whose number of caps was criminally out of synch with their ability - players such as Andy Cole (15 appearances), Matt Le Tissier (eight), Frank Worthington (eight) and Steve Bruce (none).
Instead, think about players who have had, in terms of length, a very respectable England career but have never been given due acclaim. Perhaps because of his ill-advised, dollar-driven dalliance with Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson (86 caps) is on the underrated list.
Kyle Walker (96) has probably not got the immense credit he deserves, likewise the forgotten Raheem Sterling (82). I considered Sol Campbell (73) to be a magnificent player for his country but not everyone would have him in any sort of hall of fame.
Kenny Sansom (86) also falls into that bracket. But in recent times, the player who should top the list is Jordan Pickford.
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Even when he set a new England record of eight successive clean sheets last week, the praise was often tempered by a mildly disdainful reminder of the opposition. Greece, Ireland, Albania, Latvia, Andorra (twice), Serbia and Wales.
Thomas Tuchel was moderately gushing in his praise of Pickford but, understandably, would prefer to maintain some sort of pretence that there is an actual competition for the number one jersey. There is not.
For his contribution to England’s cause, Pickford has been unfortunate not to be on a tournament-winning team. His two penalty saves - the second to wonderfully deny Jorginho - in the Euro 2020 final shootout against Italy (in 2021) should go down in English goalkeeping folklore.
England’s eventual failure in that shootout meant they did not. In the aftermath of that game, Gareth Southgate bemoaned the “number of times … his (Pickford’s) place in the team has been questioned.”
Finally, after 79 caps, the time has surely come when Pickford’s place is beyond question. Yet still, he will not be treasured or weighed down with individual accolades.
Why? That he does not play for one of the modern-day marquee institutions is probably part of the reason. But in his consistent excellence for Everton over the past eight years, there is probably not a current English player who has contributed more to his club’s cause.
Pickford does not turn 32 until March and insists he is still improving. He is right, and can look forward to at least three more tournament finals. Of course, there is a chance that a young, outstanding English goalkeeper might emerge but there are few signs of that happening.
But as long as Pickford maintains his excellent fitness record, that should not matter too much. Everton are keen to finalise a new deal for Pickford, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2027.
The word is that Everton are confident he will confirm his commitment to the club, which would be great. Perhaps he might fancy a change, perhaps he might want to test the water, perhaps he might want to see if a European powerhouse would like his services.
But one thing is for sure. Having Pickford as their last line of defence means England will continue to punch their weight at tournaments … and you never know, might even win one.
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