KEEPERS WHO ARE CLEAN MACHINES...
NICK POPE hopes staying in contention for an unlikely Golden Glove award will help book his spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
The Burnley keeper has six clean sheets in 17 Premier League games so far this season – one behind Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel, who leads the way.
If he keeps up that average of one shutout every three games, Pope could find himself in the running for an award which, since its introduction in 2004, has always gone to a keeper at a top-six club.
“That would be lovely wouldn’t it?” said Pope, who made his first start for England in the win over Kosovo last month.
“It’s something I’ve not really thought about being at a club outside the top six as we currently are.
“It’s unlikely from the outside looking in but we’ve started well and built up a few clean sheets so far.
“If we’re in March and we’re within one or two or whatever, and we’ve a real chance, then it’s the kind of thing you can look towards.
“I’ll ask the gaffer to play six or seven at the back and we’ll keep it super tight.” Pope, 27, says the support and competition provided by four-time Golden Glove winner Joe Hart is keeping him on his toes ahead of today’s trip to Bournemouth.
He said: “Joe’s someone who’s done a lot more in the game than I will ever do. His CV is incredible. To have someone like that helping me out every day, rather than seeing me as a direct rival and being toxic around me, is amazing.”
Pope’s immediate priority is to help keep the Clarets out of the relegation zone. But he admits he has one eye on next summer’s Euros when England will play the bulk of their games at Wembley.
“It’s something everyone is looking forward to and we’re speaking about it at every international camp,” he added. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so to be part of that, whether playing or in the squad, would be massive.
“It’s something that’s a goal over the next six months. I was only four when Euro 96 was on but I’ve seen the videos and seen how much of a massive achievement and a massive event it was.” (Leicester) .............................
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