Gary Lineker Calls Out Jordan Pickford: Ditch the Penalty Cheat Sheet for Euro 2024 Semi-Finals!
Gary Lineker Says Jordan Pickford Should Stop Using Penalty Cheat Sheet at Euro 2024
English football legend Gary Lineker has stated that Jordan Pickford should stop using the ‘cheat sheet’ on his water bottle for penalty saves. The Everton goalkeeper once again became a hero for England with his performance in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
Pickford’s Penalty Expertise
Pickford is known as a specialist in saving penalties for the England national team. He played a crucial role in England’s victory against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup, and in 2019, he led his team to victory by making a crucial save and scoring a penalty against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League. In the Euro 2020 final against Italy, Pickford saved two penalties, and in this summer’s European Championship, he caught attention by saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty in the match against Switzerland.
Lineker’s Criticism
The England national team meticulously prepares for penalty shootouts, and Pickford sticks penalty advice notes on his water bottle. The bottle, which guided Pickford to “jump left” for Akanji’s penalty, has become a known tactic. Lineker pointed out that opponents are now aware of this strategy, saying, “A player is going to look at that bottle. If you’re listening, do it differently, write it on a different sheet or stick it on the post!”
Facing the Netherlands in the Semi-Final
England will face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday. Gareth Southgate’s team hopes to avoid more penalty drama in this crucial match.
