Jordan Pickford is confident he is improving with age as he heads to his fourth successive major tournament as England’s number one.
The Everton goalkeeper will be between the sticks when the Three Lions open their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday evening having fended off competition for his place from the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
Pickford is often singled out by the critics but his performances for England over the past seven years have been exemplary.
Asked if he feels under appreciated, the 30-year-old said: “I think it’s 61 caps now for me. I work hard off the pitch and on the pitch. I do everything right to the best of my ability.
“I always want to improve. I’m 30 now and I keep improving every day. If there’s anything I can learn, I want to keep trying my best to improve. That’s what keeps me pushing.
“That’s why it’s my fourth major tournament. That’s why I have won Everton’s player of the year for the last three seasons. I know what I’m doing and I know I keep getting better. Hopefully I’m appreciated and hopefully this tournament is a success.”
What can’t @JPickford1 do? 🧤 pic.twitter.com/DtiAwM7bF0
— England (@England) June 12, 2024
England go into the tournament as one of the favourites but with question marks surrounding their defence. Centre-half Harry Maguire was not selected due to injury while first-choice left-back Luke Shaw is fighting to be fit for the weekend opener in Gelsenkirchen.
There may be some inexperienced heads selected on Sunday but Pickford is confident his communication can help any newcomer settle in.
“When they’re talented, I can help them, guide them, because I can see the full pitch and just my communication is hopefully a key to help them,” he added.
“That’s what I think I’m good at. They know what they’re doing in front of me.”
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England’s status as a potential winner brings with it a sense of expectation but former Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford is comfortable with being a target.
“Apart from Russia in 2018 [the World Cup], where there was no pressure on us, to be a top, elite team you have got to have pressure,” he said.
“You have got to deal with it. To be one of the favourites, you have got to enjoy that pressure.”
