Race to be No 1 ‘intense’ says Butland
Stoke keeper will start against Italy tomorrow Fight for places in Russia is ‘a test of character’
Jack Butland will start in goal for England against Italy tomorrow night believing it is still “a four- or five-horse race” to be the No1 at the World Cup.
Manager Gareth Southgate has declared he will decide on his firstchoice goalkeeper before his squad fly to Russia, and probably ahead of their final two warm-up matches, which means time is running out for Butland to stake his claim.
Despite Joe Hart playing every minute of England’s World Cup qualification campaign, his collapse in form suggests it is now a contest between Butland and Jordan Pickford, who played in the victory over Holland last Friday.
Nick Pope is also in the squad with, interestingly, Southgate naming Pope’s Burnley team-mate Tom Heaton as being in his thoughts even though the 31-year-old has not played since dislocating his shoulder in September. However Heaton is unlikely to displace Pope – whose best chance would appear to be if either of the other three goalkeepers is injured – for Burnley before the season ends.
“It’s a good thing isn’t it, having competition?” Butland said. “I enjoy it. You see the way we’re all competing against each other. I thought Jordan played really well [against Holland]. It’s motivation for us all.
“It’s a good environment to work and train in and we’re all pushing each other. It’s probably a four- or five-horse race, still. There’s a chance for people to show what they’re all about in all positions and none more so than the goalkeepers. It’s a positive situation to be in.”
It is, Southgate revealed, a “close call” on who will be his first-choice. “It feels that way, training between all of us is extremely intense,” Butland said. “It’s a great position to be in. Obviously it’s one we’re all trying to take for ourselves but ultimately whoever deserves it, whoever the manager feels, will get it and we’re all trying to do our bit to make sure it’s one of us.
“That’s the life of a goalkeeper, whether it’s coming up to a World Cup or not. It’s how you react, how you are as a character, that’s the biggest test. I think everyone is preparing anyway, whoever it will be, whoever you put up there as No1, everyone is preparing equally. The manager will make his decision when he’s ready, until that time, and even beyond that time, we’ll all be battling to show who is best.
“I think that’s a great way to go into a World Cup, the fact not knowing who it is just yet shows the competition is extremely great, and whoever it will be is going to be coming off a battle which has been pushing each other to the top, which is what we want.”
There is, however, a sense that Pickford may have the edge over Butland, not least because he played against the Dutch but also because Southgate talked up the Everton goalkeeper’s passing skills. “I also feel my distribution is really good,” Butland argued. “Jordan plays in a team [at Everton] where perhaps he is allowed to express that a little bit more. But I certainly feel I’m more than capable of doing it. I like to feel I’m mature, consistent as a keeper and I pride myself on my shot-stopping and the presence that I have.”
Undoubtedly, though, Stoke City’s troubles, as they fight against Premier League relegation, have affected Butland – although he argued the situation has made him a better goalkeeper.
“One hundred per cent,” the 25-year-old said. “It’s tough. I enjoy it. I try to take it in my stride. I don’t want to be where we are, we don’t as a club, and it’s a constant battle to get out of that. It’s asked questions of me that maybe haven’t been asked in the past. I’ve never been in this situation before… and I’m fully up to the challenge and looking forward to keeping us up.”
Starting against Italy at Wembley will bring back memories for Butland, who made his international debut against the Azzurri in a 2012 friendly. His career was then threatened by a serious ankle injury suffered playing for his country before Euro 2016.
“Six years ago, youngest keeper to play for England and all of that, first cap, an incredible moment, and I envisaged playing a lot more between then and now,” Butland said. “Injuries happen, that was a massive setback for me. I’ve dealt with bigger things than the odd performance, dealt with a hell of a long time out of the game from an injury which shouldn’t have kept me out for that long.
“I’ve had to deal with fears of not playing again, I’m a bigger man for it and I will be better for it in the future. I would have liked to have played more but injuries are part and parcel of football and you’ve got to shoulder it, got to take it on and get on with it.”