PICKFORD PLEDGES: I’LL KEEP ON FIGHTING
EX-SUNDERLAND KEEPER TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED DESPITE NO 1 WORLD CUP SHIRT
Jordan Pickford is preparing for a big summer after winning the battle for the England number one shirt.
The 24-year-old from Washington, like fellow Wearsider Henderson, made his name with Sunderland beforemovingtoMerseyside.
But while the older man is part of the furniture at Anfield, Pickford has endured a turbulent first season across Stanley Park with Everton following his £30million switch from the Black Cats.
Since signing for the Toffees a year ago, he is already on a fourth manager – Ronald Koeman, caretaker David Unsworth, Sam Allardyce and the newly appointed Marco Silva.
That has not stopped him winning national boss Gareth Southgate’s confidence, but Pickford is taking nothing for granted with Jack Butland and Nick Pope snapping at his heels.
“Obviously going to my first World Cup and getting the number one jersey as a goalkeeper means a massive amount, but it’s a number – it’s not the main the thing,” Pickford told
“I’ve got to keep working hard every day to keep the shirt. I’ve only played three games (for England), but I’ve never been fazed by any of the games.
“Playing for England means the world to us, but I don’t put pressure on myself.”
Pickford is also banking on Butland and Pope to provide support as well as competition.
“We’re pushing each other every day, training really hard off and on the field and in the gym,” he said ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly clash with Costa Rica at Leeds’ Elland Road ground.
“We’re working together, as the cliche goes – it’s the union.”
England captain Harry Kane has revealed that the squad have been practising penalties – so often the downfall for the national side in tournament football – ahead of the World Cup.
“We haven’t been doing it every session,” Kane said
“But just now and then the coaches will throw it in at the end when we’re a little bit fatigued.
“That’s obviously when it’s going to happen at the end of extra-time when the lads are tired.
“We haven’t spoken about