Pickford 'getting better' as he eyes England success

Jordan Pickford hopes he will beryllium appreciated for his England achievements arsenic he targets occurrence astatine his 4th awesome tournament.

The goalkeeper - victor of Everton's subordinate of nan play grant for a 3rd successive run successful 2023-24 - believes his champion is yet to come.

"It's 61 caps now for me. I activity difficult disconnected nan transportation and connected nan transportation I do everything correct to nan champion of my ability," Pickford said, up of England's opening crippled of Euro 2024 against Serbia connected Sunday.

"I'm 30 now and I support improving each day. If there's thing I tin learn, I want to support trying my champion to improve. That's what keeps maine pushing.

"That's why it's my 4th awesome tournament. That's why I person won Everton's subordinate of nan twelvemonth for nan past 3 seasons.

"I cognize what I'm doing and I cognize I support getting better. Hopefully I'm appreciated and hopefully this tourney is simply a success."

Pickford became Gareth Southgate's number 1 aft making his debut for nan Three Lions successful November 2017. He has been selected successful each 19 games England person played astatine awesome tournaments since then.

Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope person challenged Pickford for his starting spot, but nan erstwhile Sunderland keeper remains nan man successful possession.

"That makes maine want to improve. I've sewage nan jersey and I want to support pushing forward. They request to pursuit me," Pickford said.

"If I support improving, nan title has to amended - that's what I deliberation is bully astir nan England goalkeeper business astatine nan minute. There's a batch of bully goalkeepers."

Pickford is 1 of 5 elder players pinch complete 50 caps successful nan 26-man England squad.

With Harry Maguire injured and retired of nan tournament, it appears apt that 23-year-old Marc Guehi will measurement into nan centre of defence.

Pickford believes his ain acquisition tin thief to soft nan modulation to awesome tourney shot for immoderate young defender coming in.

"It's easy," Pickford said, erstwhile asked astir playing pinch England newcomers.

"They're location because of talent.

"When they're talented, I tin thief them, guideline them, because I tin spot nan afloat transportation and my connection is hopefully a cardinal to thief them.

"That's what I deliberation I'm bully at. They cognize what they're doing successful beforehand of me."