Jordan Pickford exclusive: Everton goalkeeper targets ‘best feeling ever’ with England under ‘winner’ Thomas Tuchel
Updated 07/03/2025 at 23:55 GMT
Jordan Pickford exclusively revealed his first impressions of Thomas Tuchel, with the new England boss set to name his first squad on March 14. The Three Lions take on Albania and Latvia at Wembley later this month, with long-standing No. 1 keeper Pickford near-certain to be in contention. The Everton shot-stopper also reflected on the highs and lows of his England career under Gareth Southgate.
Pickford on England ambitions, recovery from ‘downward spiral’ and life under Moyes
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Jordan Pickford opened up about his first conversations with new England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of the upcoming international break.
Tuchel is set to name his first England squad on Friday, March 14 for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley later this month.
And ahead of the selection, the German has spent his first three months as England boss travelling to matches and building a rapport with some 55 players who will be considered for selection.
Pickford, whose Everton side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 19:00 UK time on Saturday, is a player near-certain to feature in Tuchel’s plans. He has donned the No. 1 shirt for The Three Lions across the past four tournaments.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports expert and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Pickford said on the German: "I know he’s been to a few games. He’ll text you if he’s coming to a game to say ‘good luck’. I had a FaceTime with him at the end of January after he started his full-time role.
"He seems like a great guy and [England captain] Harry Kane speaks very highly of him. He’s a winner and hopefully we can move forward."
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‘He’s a winner’ – Pickford on first impressions of ‘great guy’ Tuchel
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Pickford added: "I spoke to Hilario, the keeper coach. He’s come to watch training. He speaks to me every week. He keeps in touch,
"It’s a change. Changes happen all the time. It’s about embracing the challenge and getting ready for the World Cup."
Tuchel, a UEFA Champions League winning manager with Chelsea, is tasked with going one better than his predecessor Gareth Southgate.
England reached two European Championship finals under Southgate, as well as a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final.
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Tuchel, meanwhile, will be targeting victory at next summer's World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"We’ve been on some journeys so far," Pickford said. "Four tournaments I’ve been to now. Two finals, a quarters and a semi.
"We’ve been that close to winning, and having the smell of winning, going back to your country and seeing your family and friends would have been the best feeling ever.
"But it’s made us hungry for the next challenge. For me, it’s about winning something for England. It’s not about breaking individual records. It’s about doing my best for the badge, for England and lifting a trophy.
"I think everyone in the country wants England to win something."
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Pickford: 'I had a blip and reached out to a psychologist'
Between 2016 and 2018, Pickford went from Sunderland understudy to a £30 million Everton keeper and England's No. 1.
Of course, the 31-year-old’s rise was not without scrutiny. He was at times criticised in his early years at Everton for perceived rashness or over-exuberance.
Pickford admitted he overcame his early blip in form and confidence with the help of a psychologist.
"In my career so far I remember having that downward spiral," Pickford said. "I had a blip and that’s when I reached out to a psychologist. I did a bit of work behind the scenes on who I wanted to be as a goalkeeper, what I wanted to achieve and where I wanted to go.
"That gave me a different perspective on goalkeeping as well. It all came together at the moment.
"Even in training, I’m still making saves, diving around, coming out of training absolutely manky, but that’s what it’s all about. But you’ve got to have a different mindset when it comes to gameday."
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Jordan Pickford in his debut season for Everton
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On receiving scrutiny, Pickford added: "I think there's always a question mark with being England’s No. 1. It’s a high profile position to be in.
"I don’t really take much notice of [any scrutiny]. I know what I do Monday-to-Friday gives me the best opportunity [to perform].
"I was a raw kid coming on the block as a 22-year-old or 23-year-old signing for Everton. I had a really good season, then a bit of a dip in form, and the media start getting on your back when you’re younger. It affects you and you have to go back to the drawing board.
"I think I’ve really kicked on with my consistency across the last four or five seasons and I think what I’m doing shows for club and country."
Pickford on improving Everton form
Pickford’s Everton have enjoyed a bounce in their league form since the return of David Moyes as manager back in January.
Should the Toffees get past Wolves unscathed on Saturday night, with the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+, they will go eight Premier League games unbeaten for the first time since Ronald Koeman's tenure as manager from 2016 to 2017.
On what Moyes wants from his side, Pickford said: "Just be consistent. Keep putting in performances.
"We’re very low on the XG chances against so we’re defending really well, and that's not just the back four and the goalkeeper. It’s the full team. So everyone’s putting a shift in.
"In possession it’s about having options and knowing when to play short and when to play long. The manager and the staff give you the platform to do it but then it’s down to me to make the right decision at the right time to execute what I’m going to do."
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