Pope eyes up a ‘once in a lifetime’ England chance at finals of Euros
player does – earn your right to be in the squad and fighting hardtomakeyourwayintothe team.”
Pope has not conceded a goal in any of his three previous appearances for England and, while he is pleased to continue his international shutout, he believes he still needs to get better to bridge the gap to Pickford.
“I think I’ve done quite well for England in those three games,” he said.
“No goals is always a massivebonusforagoalkeeperand you can’t ask for much more – but I don’t think I’ve been overly tested in all the games eithersoIdon’tthinkI’mwalkingroundthinkingI’mthebest goalkeeper in the world.”
Asked what he needs to do to bridge the gap to Pickford, he added: “A bit of everything tobehonest.Whenyouaresecondinlineorthirdinline,your aspiration is to go up the spots. Thatiswhatitislikeasakeeper and most positions.
“Keepers get more attention for that sort of thing. You have to be consistent for Burnley and England. This is an opportunity for myself to play with England players in an England team.
“It is important to play well in those games as Jordan has doneforEnglandforacoupleof years.Hehasbeentopdrawer.”
If Pope can take the gloves fromPickford,itwouldcomeat a good time for him given EnglandaresettoplayatWembley formostoftherescheduledEuropean Championships next summer.
“There’s pressure on every positioninthesquadasthereis competition in every position and every player in this squad who’s not made this squad will be looking at this summer as a home tournament and a massiveopportunitytotakepartin a massive event,” he said.
“It’s alive for us once, a once in a lifetime opportunity. The ladsinthedressingroomhere, andIknowtheonesoutsidethe squadaswell,willbedoingeverything they can to make that final squad.”