Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has explained how he has reflected on Enzo Fernandez's goal that beat him from distance in Argentina's 2-1 comeback win in the World Cup semi-final, and the competition to be England number one from James Trafford.
Having taken a 55th-minute lead in Atlanta on July 15 through Pickford's former Blues team-mate Anthony Gordon, the Three Lions were just five minutes away from reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 until the midfielder – who moved from Chelsea to Manchester City for £125million on September 1 – let fly with a curling shot from 20 yards out.
It was the moment England lost control of the game and were sent crashing to a heartbreaking defeat, and ever since the question has been: Should the Hill Dickinson Stadium fans' favourite have saved it?
Pickford's response to the goal
Pickford, who spent three hours on a Zoom call with his sports psychologist on Thursday night which he described as “grafting” to make himself even better, said: “I tried to scan for the ball. There were a lot of bodies in front.
“He's got a free touch and shot. It just went away from me.
“It's one of them I'd say as a goalkeeper the balls were moving fast over there. So, they come at you a lot quicker.
“It's one of them where everyone will judge. In that moment, you know yourself if you could have done better or not. I went after the ball and I didn't get it.
“There's always going to be people asking the questions, but I think if you're not a goalkeeping expert then you won't know what you're talking about.”
Competition from James Trafford
Since making his international debut in a goalless draw against Germany at Wembley on November 10, 2017, less than five months after he joined Everton from Sunderland for £25million, Pickford has been first choice for his country, winning 91 caps and breaking the record for the most World Cup games for an England player (19). The 32-year-old has also blown Phil Jagielka's record of the most matches for the Three Lions while with the Blues (40) out of the water.
However, now for the first time it appears he has serious competition for his shirt following Trafford's £45million summer switch from Manchester City to Leeds United, with the 23-year-old playing regularly at Elland Road. For the new, extended four-game international break, Thomas Tuchel chose to start with the 6ft 6in Cumbrian in the first two matches, a 3-2 home defeat to World Cup winners Spain and a 2-0 victory in Czechia, with Pickford restored for Saturday's trip to Croatia and then the return home fixture against the Czechs.
The Everton ace said: “The manager mentioned it as well. It got explained the night before the Spain game.
“He said it was a new competition, to also give Traff a couple of games. It was fine by me and it was like: 'Right, now it's time I need to go again.'
“It's good for Traff. I've always said I've had good competition since I made my debut in 2017, I've always had that competition, and it's about me improving, keep going, keep striving for me.
“I love nothing more than having competition. I would say it's a credit to the keepers we bring through in England now, you're seeing a lot more of English goalkeepers playing.
“Yeah of course, I always want to be number one. I'll always keep working on myself, keep developing. I've always said in every interview I'm always striving for more in myself, and always improving in areas I feel I need to improve, whether it's on the pitch, in the gym or my mindwork.”
Working with a sports psychologist
On working with a sports psychologist, Pickford added: “For me it's breaking that ceiling to that next level and I'll put the work in. People might not see it, but I put a lot of work in myself to just be the best version of me.
“Whether it's on the training pitch or whether it's on a Zoom call last night for three hours, that's me. We just go through everything.
“How I'm feeling, where we can improve, my breath work and stuff. There's loads, day-to-day life as well.
“I'm open to it because I want to be the best version of me. I've worked with this coach for over a year now. The first chapter was to gear up for the World Cup and be the best version of me. Pushing through now, it's the next chapter.
“I find it really useful. We just spoke about criticism and I can only vouch for myself, and it works for me.
“It might not work for others, but I'm open to talk about it. That's just me because I want to improve.”
