View: Everton duo must use England inclusion as motivation
Everton duo Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford must use the uncertainty of their respective inclusion in England’s Euros squad this summer to motivate them over the final few months of the season.
Keane was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad during the recent international break, where England faced Albania, San Marino and Poland in World Cup qualifiers.
Pickford meanwhile was forced to miss the Three Lions’ fixtures after inflaming a rib injury when playing against Burnley last month.
Keane should particularly feel aggrieved to have lost out during England’s last round of fixtures, having performed consistently for the Blues this season.
Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Tyrone Mings, John Stones and Harry Maguire were all preferred to the Everton centre-back, who has been one of Everton’s best and most reliable performers throughout the campaign.
Having missed just one game in the Premier League this season while also boasting three goals for the Toffees [Transfermarkt], Keane should certainly use his ambition of representing his country on the international stage to drive him forward in Everton’s final ten games.
Pickford meanwhile could risk losing his spot if he cannot recover from injury quickly enough, with Dean Henderson, Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone named in Southgate’s recent squad.
Prior to sustaining his recent injury, Pickford had been enjoying a minor vein of form for Everton, with the goalkeeper seemingly establishing himself over Robin Olsen on Merseyside.
His injury therefore proved untimely, with Pickford now facing a race against time to get back fit and performing well to ensure he remains Southgate’s Number One.
Everton have ten ‘cup finals’ between now and the end of the season as they look to clinch qualification to Europe next season, and both Keane and Pickford will play a major role in helping the club succeed on that front.
As such it is imperative that the duo use their England ambitions to motivate them going forward, with Everton, England and both players set to profit.
In other Everton news, The Athletic reported Gregg O’Keeffe has hinted at Everton forward’s likely summer exit from Goodison Park.
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