England manager Gareth Southgate made his 23 man squad selection for the upcoming World Cup in Russia yesterday.
Buzzing to get called up to the World Cup. From being a little boy to now, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of and aspired to achieve. Can’t wait to get started #gettheraveon 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/3SqEMXyy5F
— Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) May 16, 2018
With fans across the country still debating his selections, those picked, the chances he’s taken and importantly, those he has overlooked and placed at best on the standby list, Everton fans largely are more than onboard with the selection of Jordan Pickford as one of three goalkeepers making the trip.
Pickford finds himself in the group alongside Stoke City’s Jack Butland and Burnley’s Nick Pope and you’d have to think our 24-year-old is in with a good shot of making the position between the sticks his own. Many consider Butland to be the new No 1 with the omission of Joe Hart, but with relegation for Stoke this term, he might not be best placed in reality. Pope clearly has talent and has done well this season but you could argue he lacks the game time to take top spot and the benefit for him is being involved.
Over to Pickford to impress in training and we’ll see if he grabs the opportunity with both hands. If he does, he’ll become the youngest stopper to represent the country at a World Cup Finals.
Speaking to the Official Site yesterday as the news broke, he explained.
“I cannot wait, it will be an incredible experience and my experience at youth level will stand me in good stead. I was given an opportunity by Gareth Southgate and I think I took it. I played under him for the Under-21s, so he knows what I am capable of. There is already trust there.”
Well deserved. Do the business lad ????????
— GrandOldTeam (@grandoldteam) May 16, 2018
Congratulations Jordan come a long way since I was making you pick the ball out of the net at alftreton. Deserved ????????????????⚽️
— Paul Clayton (@paulclayton84) May 16, 2018
Well in jordan, one of the few players who can hold their heads up high this season
— Austin Ryan (@ozzyryan619) May 16, 2018
Well done. Just a normal lad from Washy doing the north east proud. #gettheraveon
— Michael (@MichaelStelling) May 16, 2018
Congratulations Jordan, that time you had with us @officialbantams obviously made you what you are today. Well made up for you ???????????????????????? #bcafc
— Dave (@dmahon11) May 16, 2018
Get in! Well done Jordan ????????????
— Andy Dufresne (@BlueDufresne) May 16, 2018
Proud for you and @JHenderson, do the mackems proud something to cheer about at last #gettheraveon #England #SAFC
— David Cook (@72COOKY) May 16, 2018
Delighted for you Jordan. Go and make the position your own.
— Stephen Holderness (@pne_ste) May 16, 2018
Could tell when you were at Deepdale you were going to go a long way and you have, congratulations Jorden will be England keeper for years to come.
— Dave(PNE) Hogg (@DaveHogg2) May 16, 2018
Watched you play on loan for Darlington against @ftfc , you was England U17 keeper then, fleetwood won 1-0, could see you was gonna make it.
— sean slater (@salmon1620) May 16, 2018
All your hard work has paid off. Do the SAFC academy proud. #SAFC
— Paul Connelly (@paulconn6268) May 17, 2018
Not bad for a little lad from Sunderland! Well done son, have a belter!
— Paul Haswell (@HazzyP83) May 16, 2018
Congratulations @JPickford1 fully deserved. Looking forward to watching you in the WC. It will only make you a more experienced and better player. You should be proud you worked hard for this. #Everton #EnglandSquad
— JEFF WHUR (@JEFFWHUR) May 16, 2018