No split priorities ahead of Belgium clash, says Pickford

Jordan Pickford insists England will go all-out to win their Group G decider against Belgium – even if it could lead to a harder path to any World Cup success.

Gareth Southgate’s side come up against Belgium in Kaliningrad tomorrow night in what is essentially a play-off for first place, with both nations having won their opening two fixtures.

England will be in good spirits after their 6-1 thrashing of Panama but there has been suggestions that finishing second in the group may be beneficial to potentially avoid some of the World Cup’s biggest hitters later in the draw.

Pickford does not buy into that theory and instead wants the Three Lions to focus on maintaining their winning start in Russia.

“Our mentality is to win every game we play,” the Everton goalkeeper said. “I feel that if we win every game it just keeps building momentum to keep going in the tournament.

“We know Belgium are a tough opponent and we need to be on our A-game to get the win and I feel our squad we want to win every game so we can’t be looking into that.

“It doesn’t matter who we play next because to get as far as you can, to get to the final, you have to play these top teams so if we play them early, that is how it is going to be.

“Before the World Cup started we faced four of the top 10 in the world, held our own and played very good football and kept clean sheets as well.

“We are ready to face these big teams and we know how good we are and what to expect from ourselves.”

The main question heading into the Belgium encounter is whether or not Southgate will make a number of changes to his side to freshen things up.

Pickford could be one of those who is rotated, with Jack Butland a potential replacement, and he feels the whole squad is ready to perform.

“It is a team game. All 23 who are in the squad are fighting for their places,” he said.

“It is so tough to call because the ability in the squad is unbelievable and that is what will take us as far as we can go.”

Southgate is determined to keep everyone’s attention firmly on the next fixture rather than take too much interest in the World Cup wall chart.

“What I’ve discussed with the players is we must not waste any energy thinking whether it’s better to be first or second in the group, who we might play in future rounds,” the England manager said in an interview with Fifa TV.

“We have to go out to play well in every game and to try and win every game. That’s straightforward in my mind.”

Jordan Pickford relaxing in St Petersburg.