Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was full of praise for Rio Ngumoha, the Liverpool teenager who made an impressive senior England debut in a 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday.
Ngumoha's Historic Debut
At 17 years old, Ngumoha became England's fifth-youngest debutant, stepping up from the training squad to start on the right wing due to the absence of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, who were given time off after Arsenal's Champions League final appearance.
Pickford, the long-serving England and Everton goalkeeper, said: "He was quality, nothing fazed him. He's had a really good season at Liverpool and the manager gave him his debut and he showed how good he is."
Young Talent in England's System
The 32-year-old goalkeeper highlighted the depth of young talent in English football: "All the young lads have been brilliant in training, they have moulded into the squad and helped us massively and it also shows the talent we have in the system. It is a credit to the academies and the pathway we have in English football."
Other training group players hoping for debuts in Wednesday's friendly against Costa Rica include Josh King (Fulham), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), both 19, and 22-year-old Alex Scott (Bournemouth).
World Cup Preparations
That match offers manager Thomas Tuchel a final chance to fine-tune ahead of England's Group L opener against Croatia on June 17. Pickford is set to start as number one at a fifth-straight major tournament, a feat he takes great pride in.
With 44 clean sheets for England, now bettered only by Peter Shilton's 66, Pickford said: "There have been a lot of keepers challenging along the way and I credit myself for improving week-in week-out at Everton. I always give myself targets to improve and there is nothing better than putting the England shirt on. Everyone knows how passionate I am and that is immense pride for me and my family."
Squad Evolution
Notable absentees from this summer's World Cup squad include Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Maguire. Pickford acknowledged the evolving nature of the squad: "Every squad evolves. Even 2018, my first World Cup, we were six or seven or maybe eight at our first tournament. It's unfortunate for the lads that don't get picked but I'm not the manager and don't have to make those decisions."
He added: "I put myself in contention and work hard like everyone else but the competition is there with England. The manager picks the final squad and we believe in the manager. We know we have to work hard and that is what we are doing."
Camp Atmosphere
After beating New Zealand, England made the 200-mile trip back to their West Palm Beach base. Preparations continue at a relaxed pace before moving to Kansas City next weekend. Pickford, winning his 83rd cap against New Zealand, said: "The manager has been quite open in this camp. We're here to train but we have downtime if people want to see families or they want to go to the shops or for a meal or to play golf, like I like to do. Once we get to Kansas we know it's game on. This 10-day block is about getting work in your legs, messages into our legs and when we get to Kansas we'll be ready."
