Jordan is Southgate’s No.1 Pick for World Cup
GARETH Southgate dropped a heavy hint that Jordan Pickford will be England’s World Cup keeper by selecting him for the victory over Nigeria, but declined to publicly settle the issue with one more friendly to go.
The Three Lions boss has yet to reveal whether Pickford or Jack Butland will be his firstchoice goalkeeper in Russia but the scales tipped heavily in the Everton man’s favour as he was given 90 minutes in the 2-1 win at Wembley.
That was only Pickford’s third senior cap, meaning another outing would surely be beneficial if he is to don the gloves against Tunisia on June 18.
But when invited to put the issue to bed, Southgate gave a slim chance for Butland to play the final warm-up fixture at Elland Road on Thursday.
“We’ll give consideration to who plays in goal against Costa Rica over the next 24 or 36 hours,” he said.
“But I was really pleased with what Jordan did. Normally, when you play for England, there’s not an awful lot of opportunity to produce a lot of saves.
“But his decision making on crosses, the punch he made, his distribution and calmness to slide passes into midfield... that was really important to the way we want to play.
“He can be very pleased with his performance.”
Barring a late change of heart, that endorsement should see the 24-year-old start his first competitive England match in the Group G opener in Volgograd. RAHEEM Sterling admitted the furore around his leg tattoo has been an unwanted distraction as he prepares for the World Cup.
The City forward made the front page of a national newspaper this week, with journalists speaking to anti-gun campaigners to whip up a storm about the inking of an assault rifle on the player’s right leg.
Sterling quickly explained the ‘deeper meaning’ behind the ‘unfinished’ tattoo, referencing the shooting of his father when he was still a child - but that wasn’t enough to stop numerous broadcasters and commentators debating the issue, leading to it bizarrely dominating the news cycle in an eventful week.
That coverage unintentionally boosted the 23-year-old’s cause within the England camp.
He had been in hot water with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate after turning up late to the World Cup training camp last week, but still started the friendly win over Nigeria on Saturday as a point of principle.
“I had a decision to make whether to play him after turning up late but, actually, that wasn’t a decision after he started to come under fire from every other direction,” said Southgate after goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane earned a 2-1 victory at Wembley.
“It wasn’t about getting a response. The most important thing I do in the next six weeks is protect the players. They respect each other and understand how important it is they support and protect each other.
“The situation was one we didn’t want to happen. But this was the best way to deal with it in my opinion.”
Sterling, who looked lively at Wembley and was involved for the second goal but was also booked for diving as he looked to win a penalty, was backed after the game by teammates Gary Cahill and Harry Kane in interviews for his attitude and work ethic. Having apologised to the squad for turning up late, the City star would have accepted being dropped as a punishment, but is grateful for Southgate’s honesty as the group look ahead to the World Cup this month. “He (Southgate) is honest, he tells you his exact mind. If I’d been left out, I wouldn’t have had any complaints,” he said. “I had to meet up at 11 o’clock, the flight got delayed and I was a bit late in the morning so I completely understand where he’s coming from. I have to go out there and show him exactly what I’m capable of doing. “People will see stuff in the wrong way but I’m just looking to get over it and keep concentrating on football. To come here, express my talent and try and win football matches for this country. “It’s a distraction you don’t need, but it’s one of those I’ve learned to deal with now and block it out so I don’t think about it and just look forward to getting out on the pitch.”