Jordan Pickford has said Thomas Tuchel has helped raise his standards and can do the same for England. The 32-year-old goalkeeper will go into his third World Cup as England's number one, having enjoyed arguably the best season of his career with Everton.
Pickford admitted he felt the need to impress Tuchel when the new manager took over in March. “You might have a good reputation, but they need to see it with their own eyes,” he said. “That's what drives me and what pushes me on. Just keep improving, keep being consistent and keep driving those standards for myself.”
The Everton keeper, currently on 82 caps, said reaching 100 is in the back of his mind but his immediate focus is on winning the World Cup. “My goal for the next seven weeks is to win, lift that trophy,” he said.
Pickford has experienced heartbreak with England, including a World Cup semi-final and two consecutive European Championship final losses. But he believes the team are getting closer. “We've seen both sides of defeat,” he said. “I think we're not far off.”
He also highlighted the leadership group within the squad. “Harry Kane is the captain, but he can't just be leading by himself. There are different types of leaders on the pitch. I think that's what the manager's got – the balance of leaders within the 26.”
Pickford joined the England camp after a Caribbean holiday to adjust to the time zone. His wife Megan has supported him with messages and pictures for their personalised rooms at the team base in Kansas City. “It's tough to go away for seven weeks, but it's going to change our whole lives,” he said.
