In this video
- Asked how it felt to watch James Trafford play twice, Pickford said the manager explained why before the Spain game. His job was to be a good team-mate, and he feels he did that well.
- Told he cannot have liked it, Pickford said no, it was different. It was good for Trafford to get minutes in a competitive game, and you have to respect the manager's decision.
- Asked what competition for places could bring out of him, Pickford said it always drives him on. England have had that competition since his debut in 2017.
“…I might have 91 caps but you don't get picked on that, you've got to keep performing.”
- Asked about the second half against Croatia at the World Cup, Pickford said England were aggressive. A first group game at a World Cup was probably always going to start a bit edgy.
- Asked if there is an issue with England's defending, Pickford said no, given the nations faced at the World Cup. England want more clean sheets, but playing on the front foot is more enjoyable.
- Asked how long he might go on with England, Pickford said he thinks 32 is young for a keeper. Asked if he could play at 40, he said he is not slowing down and thinks he is only getting better.
- Asked if this is Harry Kane's moment for the Ballon d'Or, Pickford said he is right in the mix, with standards and goals second to none. It would be fully deserved, he said.
Jordan Pickford speaks ahead of Croatia vs England in the UEFA Nations League and opens up on the competition for the England number 1 goalkeeper spot after James Trafford started against Spain and the Czech Republic.
Pickford says Thomas Tuchel told him beforehand that each goalkeeper would get two games, and that his responsibility was to be a good teammate. The Everton keeper insists 91 England caps guarantee nothing, saying competition “always drives me for more” and that at 32 he is “not slowing down… only getting better”, pointing to Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer as examples of goalkeepers playing at the highest level into their 40s.
Ahead of Croatia vs England in Rijeka, Pickford also discusses the threat posed by Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Joško Gvardiol, Ivan Perišić and Ante Budimir, reflects on England’s defensive record, and backs Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or, saying it would be “fully deserved” as the England captain closes in on Peter Shilton’s caps record.
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