Jordan Pickford: Becoming England’s number one was down to being at Everton

Jordan Pickford believes his England ambitions were boosted by his switch to Everton last year.

The goalkeeper, who has signed a new six-year deal with the club, moved from boyhood club Sunderland to Everton in June 2017 and went on to be named the Toffees’ player of the year after a standout debut season.

Pickford was given his England bow shortly after linking up with the Merseysiders and established himself as Gareth Southgate’s first-choice number one during their memorable run to the World Cup semi-finals in the summer.

After committing his long-term future to Everton by putting pen to paper on a deal that will run until June 2024, he said on their official website: “I thought Everton would be a great club to come to and the right step in my career.

“Getting the opportunity to become England’s number one was down to being at Everton, I believe, and being able to put in solid performances week in and week out.

“Coming to Everton, a massive club with a massive history and seeing how passionate and determined the fans are, it’s inspired me to perform week in and week out and it’s moved my career on, without question.

“I want to play as many games as I can for the club, that’s my goal now.”

Everton paid Sunderland an initial £25million for Pickford, with the possibility of a further £5million in add-ons, which was a club-record fee at the time.

Despite the recent upheaval at Goodison Park – Pickford is already playing under his third manager at the club – the 24-year-old has enhanced his reputation significantly.

He kept 10 clean sheets last season and has been an ever-present in the Premier League under Marco Silva this term.

Pickford’s finest moment arguably came when he saved a penalty from Colombia’s Carlos Bacca to help England to their first-ever World Cup shootout win in July.

Despite the increase in attention, Pickford insists he is not overawed and now wants to cement himself as one of Everton’s finest custodians.

He added: “I don’t feel any pressure from the World Cup. I just want to become the best person as a goalkeeper I can be.

“Hopefully, I can continue to progress, become a better goalkeeper each and every day and keep that England number one shirt as well. That’s another aim.

“This is a great club for me and, hopefully, we can get the success for the fans to earn the right to be a legend at Everton one day, each and every one of us.

“My focus is on the team here and, as a team, we want to be pushing right up the table as high as we can be.

“There is a lot of strong competition out there but in the next year or two, if we can get into a final of a cup and perhaps win a trophy, that would be a great step forward.

“I am still learning but I hope I am giving the team something, too.”