JORDAN PICKFORD BELIEVES his realisation he is no longer a “normal lad” has helped him mature and cement his position as England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
After a superb World Cup in Russia last year, Pickford’s form for club side Everton during the 2018-19 season came under scrutiny.
He also made headlines off the pitch in early April after footage emerged on social media showing him involved in a fracas outside a bar in his hometown of Sunderland.
The 25-year-old ended his season on a high, however, keeping five clean sheets in the Toffees’ last seven Premier League games.
He followed that with a starring role in England’s third-place finish in the Nations League, scoring and saving a penalty as Gareth Southgate’s side beat Switzerland 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in their play-off on Sunday.
Pickford is determined to remain grounded despite his rapid ascent in the game but he believes a better understanding of his status as one of English football’s most high-profile names is helping his development.
I think the main thing about it is that I am a normal lad but then sometimes you have got to realise you are not a normal lad; you are an England footballer,” he told a media conference.
“I just want to be a normal lad, but you have got to realise in certain situations that you can’t be. You learn from everything, how to become a man and grow.
So, you move on from that and after that incident I pushed on at the end of the season and got a lot of clean sheets. It just shows my character.”
Asked if he was growing into the role of Gareth Southgate’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, Pickford added: “Yeah, I think you always learn and mature in every game, whether it is club or international level.
“I think I started on the front foot and there has been a lot of pressure, but I don’t feel pressure. I just want to go and express myself and do the best for the nation and for the team.
“I don’t feel any pressure and just feel I can get better to better.”
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Kane’ s second goal oozed class, a great three points for Spurs I thought they were struggling to break Villa down until the last 15 mins.
Grealish caught wanting too much time on the ball a few times, he’ll need to adjust to Premier League, on the bright side for Villa Mings put some shift in at the back, looks top quality.
@Sean: glrealish has lost 18 games in a row.. The longest of any player in premiership history
@Chonky Racoon: how did you work that one out considering they came up through the playoffs? Unless you mean he has lost his last 18 premier league games in which case that’s just a completely meaningless start as he only appeared in 16 league games the year they went down so it’s a stat spread over 3 Prem seasons over 5 years apart.
Clinical finishes from Kane. So important fir spurs that he stays fit. Eriksen showed his class. Would love him to sign a new contract. Decent first showing from Ndombele. With Son, Ali & La Celso still to come in fir spurs it could be another good season.
90 minute game, Spurs showed patience and class in the last 20 minutes. Kane has the X factor. Ndoble could be a player.
Spurs looked like a real side tonight, in the past they would have lost that match, but a serious team now the last 20 mins they showed it. Grealish well he’ll have better days.
Delighted your man lost the ball for Spurs’ second.
Typical kane.. Does nothing for 70 odd mins then sores a jammy goal.