Proud dad Jordan: Italians will want revenge... we just want to get a result and to qualify
JORDAN PICKFORD has not had much time to celebrate becoming a father for a second time.
England keeper reckons next summer might just bring the daddy of all knees-ups.
Pickford’s wife Megan gave birth to daughter Ostara Haze last month and the couple already have a four-year-old son called Arlo. But the Everton No.1 has been busy for both club and country during a season that will culminate in the European Championship finals in Germany next summer.
And Pickford feels it is about time the nation’s football fans were given a glittering reason to pop the champagne corks after a series of heartbreaking near-misses under boss Gareth Southgate.
England face Italy at Wembley on Tuesday night and the 29-year-old insists revenge will not be on the agenda when the Azzurri return to the scene of their penalty shoot-out victory over the Three Lions in the final of Euro 2020.
Pickford said: “I don’t think this game has anything to do with revenge. We went to Italy in March and made a bit of history, having gone so many years without beating them away from home. This is all about qualifying for Germany. It’s another hurdle we have got to get past and we’ll be going for the victory.
“It will be another tough game. They are the European champions, they’ve got a new manager and played well in the last international break, so we’re up against a top side.
“To be honest, we never really touched base on losing that final. There was more disappointment at the last World Cup, getting beat in the quarters.
“We’ve had our share of disappointments, but you don’t dwell on them. You learn from them and then become better as an individual and as a team.
“We have been very consistent over the last few years – and now the next step is for us to win something.
“The passion is there. It’s been there since 2018 when no one really had any expectations of us, but we went into the World Cup wanting to win the tournament.
“Now we’ve been close. We’ve tasted defeat in a final. We’ve got that hunger. Our main goal is to lift a trophy.” England were beaten in the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in 2018 and then came up agonisingly short again, despite Pickford saving two Italian penalties in the Euro shoot-out.
When Harry Kane missed from the spot against France in Qatar, it was another bitter dose of disappointment.
But England have taken control of their qualifying group by winning four and drawing one of their games – including a 2-1 win over Italy in Naples.
Pickford added: “That just shows you the characters we are and the type of squad and togetherness we have – and I think the fans love it.
“Every time we put the shirt on we wear it with massive amounts of pride.
“To win in Italy was a great feeling, but they’re coming into our backyard now and they’ll want revenge. We just want to put on a performance, be at our best, and get a result to qualify.”
So, what about the new arrival?
“We’ve got a baby girl now,” said the beaming England keeper.
“It’s lovely because it’s something my mam always wanted as well.
“The missus has been amazing and now we’re a family of four.
“Will we have any more? You never know.
“You will have to ask my missus that question!”
‘The passion is there... and now our main goal is to lift a trophy’