England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford insist he ‘never worries about making mistakes’ ahead of World Cup and admits they are already practising penalties
Loris Karius' nightmare in the Champions League final provided a timely reminder of the hero-or-villain nature of being a 'keeper
IF Jordan Pickford needed a reminder of the hero-or-villain nature of being a goalkeeper, it was there in all its gory in Kiev on Saturday night.
England’s likely World Cup No 1 might be on the blue half of Merseyside.
Yet as a member of the goalkeepers’ union, he could not help but feel for Liverpool’s Loris Karius after his two second-half howlers gifted Real Madrid the Champions League.
Public reaction to the tearful German’s Kiev clangers — including sickening death threats on social media — could easily put the frighteners on a stopper about to enter the biggest stage of them all.
But Pickford, aged just 24 and with only two international caps plus 69 Premier League games under his belt, does not do scared.
And even though he knows he will be “slaughtered” should he do a Karius in Russia, England’s supremely confident keeper insists he would be able to bounce straight back.
Jordan Pickford on pens
"We've been doing the full shootout, even walking from the halfway line.
"We’re doing a lot of work at the moment.
"There are a lot of good penalty-takers here and it’s been hard to save.
"I’ve saved a few this season. You can be a hero — but there’s no pressure.
"It’s about how the taker is looking. Body language, where his shoulders or arms are. But sometimes you’ve just got to pick a side and attack it.
"If you get there you get there and if you don’t, get the next one."
Pickford’s talking will actually be put to the test as soon as Saturday’s Wembley friendly against Nigeria, as he was at fault for two of West Ham’s three goals in his last Premier League match for Everton earlier this month.
And the ex-Sunderland star — whose earliest World Cup memory is David Seaman’s blunder against Brazil in 2002 — said: “It’s never nice to make mistakes but it’s just how you bounce back.
KHAN'T SAY NO Chief makes passionate plea urging FA members to back Wembley sale
“On a big stage like the Champions League final it is always going to be difficult and you are always going to get slaughtered by people. But you become a better person from it if you learn from it.
“It is all about concentration and the more games you play the more you concentrate.
LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS IN THE BUILD-UP TO RUSSIA
“Nothing really affects me, I just get on with it. That is the type of character I am. I am able to mentally block out mistakes. I never really doubt myself or think that if I make a mistake I am going to make another mistake.
“I never put pressure on myself during games. That’s why I went to six loan clubs from 17 onwards. That is what it is all for . . . to become the best keeper I can.”
Given Gareth Southgate’s lack of an out-and-out No 1, England’s current stopper situation has been likened to that ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Rob Green started as Fabio Capello’s keeper in South Africa but let Clint Dempsey’s shot through him against the USA in the opening game and was quickly dropped for David James.
Pickford, though, is not fussed that he is yet to be confirmed as first choice for the tournament.
And despite him, Jack Butland and Nick Pope sharing just nine caps between them, the 6ft 1in Everton ace does not believe lack of experience is an issue ahead of Three Lions’ Group G opener against Tunisia on June 18.
He said: “It’s not a concern. You have got to thrive on it really. We’ve only got nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League.
“I have played 38 games this season and numerous in cups and in the Europa League. That is where you get your experience from and I can’t wait to get out there.
“None of us know who will be No 1 yet. We just work hard on the training pitch. We are all working hard and pushing each other so it is all good competition and then we will see.”
Of course, Southgate has decided to leave his most experienced keeper at home. And Pickford admits it is strange to be in a senior squad without Joe Hart, who he idolised as kid.
Just seven years ago, a 17-year-old Pickford was tidying up the Stadium of Light changing rooms after Sunderland’s first team had played against Manchester City — and asked his hero for his shirt.
Now he appears to have taken Hart’s England jersey off him.
And he admitted: “It’s a bit different not seeing him here. I’ve always said Harty was my hero. You don’t get 70-odd caps for nothing.
“The pathway he took, going out on loan, that’s the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. Not just playing reserve-team football, you’ve got to go and learn your trade.
“He’s a legend in the game for us. He’s been the top keeper in England for eight years.”
For Pickford, despite his tournament experience with England’s youth teams, a World Cup is something he has only previously seen on the telly.
And he recalled: “My first World Cup memory is from 2002. I remember going to school and we were allowed to wear our England shirts for the Brazil game. The main memory is Seaman, when Ronaldinho scored that goal.”
Pickford was only eight years old then, but has been between the sticks since he was five, “diving about on the concrete”.
That is perhaps a surprise given his ability with his feet, one of the key reasons Southgate fancies him.
And Pickford said: “Playing out from the back is coming into the game a lot now and I’ve always been capable of it. I’ve always practised it, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates.
“How good am I outfield? It depends what position. Hopefully holding midfield, a little quarterback role!”
Still, stopping goals rather than setting them up will be Pickford’s primary task at the World Cup.
And with two clean sheets from his only two England games so far — against Germany and Holland — the signs are good heading into Russia.
Pickford added: “If I can keep that run going, it would be perfect. I’ll keep helping the team and communicating with the lads in front of me to keep the ball away from me.
“That’s what I’m good at, communication. And hopefully that keeps it out of the net.”