Jordan Pickford defiant amid threat to England No 1 spot: ‘I’m only getting better’

Jordan Pickford remains confident about his future as an England international goalkeeper, despite threats to his number one spot. The Everton player was omitted from the national team's first two Nations League matches against Spain and Czechia, as manager Thomas Tuchel opted to give James Trafford a shot at the position. Pickford will return to the lineup for upcoming matches against Croatia and in the return leg against Czechia, marking the first time in eight years that his starting role is in question.

Despite this setback, Pickford remains determined to reach new heights. At 32 years old, he acknowledges that many goalkeepers continue to perform at the highest level well into their 40s. His focus is on personal growth and achieving the best version of himself. Pickford stated, "I want to push boundaries and keep improving and keep going to be the best version of myself. I'll never stop until I stop. I’m not slowing down, I think I’m only getting better."

This bench-warming experience is unusual for Pickford, who has been England's first-choice goalkeeper since before the 2018 World Cup. However, he handled the situation with maturity and professionalism. He emphasized the importance of being a supportive team-mate and maintaining a positive energy around the squad. Pickford expressed satisfaction with his performance in his absence, stating, "It’s about me being a good team-mate with good energy around the place and train well and have that leadership role. I think I’ve done it really well over the last two games."

Pickford acknowledged that his bench time is atypical for him but acknowledged the manager's decision was ultimately for the greater good of the team. He also praised Trafford's early success at Leeds, highlighting the strong unit that has formed around them in recent years.