Jordan Pickford has been practicing taking penalties in preparation for England entering the knockout stage of the World Cup. The Three Lions were guaranteed progress even before Saturday night's win over Panama but went through as group winners after second half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. They will face Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 32, and should that game or any that may follow go to penalties, Pickford is prepared.
Pickford's Penalty Practice
The Everton number one, who now has 87 caps for England, does not expect to be called upon should a match go to penalties but is practicing just in case. He said: "I've been taking a few! It's tournament football and we prepare ourselves, we push ourselves 110 per cent. Every day we'll make sure everything's right and we'll be ready come matchday on Wednesday."
Pickford has stepped up for his country before, scoring from the spot in a Nations League shootout with Switzerland three years ago. However, it is between the posts where he has excelled, with the 32-year-old having saved at least one penalty in every shootout he has endured with England, including two saves in the Euros final defeat to Italy.
England's Defensive Concerns
The win over Panama was a second clean sheet of the tournament for Pickford, but it was far from a confident defensive display from England. Pickford is hoping for improvement and said: "Clean sheets in tournament football are crucial. It's fine margins and we've got a lot going forward. So if we keep it tight at the back with clean sheets then it'll give us the best chance. It ramps up now, doesn't it? It's a proper phase of football. One game at a time."
Pickford remains confident in England's penalty takers, noting: "Of course [we have good takers] and that's put me down the pecking order now. Everyone is good at them and that's the standard we set and the confidence we put in each other. It's my job to make the saves and in tournaments, time and time before, I've always come up with a save in a shoot out for England and I'll hopefully continue that."
Experience Under Pressure
Pickford believes England's squad is well equipped to handle the pressure of knockout football: "There are lads who have won Champions Leagues, lads who have been in youth tournaments with England. Everyone knows the pressure of it and I think that is where you will see us thrive."
