Jordan Pickford makes England penalty admission before World Cup match v Senegal
Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford has admitted he will relish the opportunity to take a penalty for England if called upon in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The 28-year-old has become a cult hero after starring in the Three Lions’ shootout win against Columbia at the 2018 World Cup before scoring from the spot in England’s Nations League encounter with Switzerland a year later.
Although the Toffees keeper most recently fell to an agonising loss in the Euro 2020 final against Italy – after 120 minutes failed to separate the two sides – he admitted the England team wasn’t disheartened by that defeat.
When asked during an interview with ITV Sport if he would put himself on the list of names to take a penalty, the keeper admitted that he would happily step up and take a spot-kick if needed.
He said: “If called upon, I’ll take a penalty.
“But hopefully, my focus is on saving the penalties and giving the lads the opportunity to execute their pen and score them.
“That’s what all the preparation that goes into tournament football is about, never leave a page unturned, you know, and I’ll be ready.”
Clutch
Pickford and penalties just go hand in hand at this point.
Come the pressure moment of a knockout game, there really are few keepers in the world who could better the Everton shot-stopper.
He seems to thrive on the biggest of stages, and this is the type of character that England needs if they are to progress deep into the World Cup over the coming fortnight.
Although on the losing side for England against Italy at the Euros, the 28-year-old wasn’t to blame, as he pulled off a stunning save to deny the usually reliable Jorginho from the spot.
The Toffees man is known for his pin-point passing with the ball at his feet from open play, and he has seemingly converted this into a more-than-credible penalty technique – which was on full display against Switzerland.
If England can’t break down a stubborn Senegal side on Sunday (4 December), Pickford may well be his country’s hero once more.