Last season, after returning from a loan stint at Preston, the young goalkeeper had to continue learning his trade by sitting on a bench and contemplating how he might displace Vito Mannone. On-field action was restricted to three appearances during which he conceded nine goals and although those goals were not his fault, he began this season still an understudy to the Italian. Mannone’s injury, however, has given the 22-year-old a steady run in the first team and he has grasped his opportunity as convincingly as he claims crosses. Despite committing a costly blunder against Southampton in his first outing of the season, he has been one of Sunderland’s most reliable performers even when left obscenely exposed by his defence. His saves were a big factor in his club’s first Premier League win of the season against Bournemouth and his performance at White Hart Lane in September, when Hugo Lloris hailed him as amazing, was the main reason Sunderland escaped with only a narrow defeat. At a time of gloom at the Stadium of Light, Pickford has managed to confirm he has a very bright future.
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