Thomas Tuchel says Jordan Pickford is his No 1 goalkeeper for now but has warned that the race for World Cup selection has begun.
Everton’s Pickford has 75 caps ahead of Saturday’s qualifier against Andorra but is under pressure from Crystal Palace star Dean Henderson.
England boss Tuchel said on Friday night: ‘Jordan has been in goal for a long, long time. He earned his place with consistent performances at a high level. Jordan trains at the highest level and we’re very, very happy with him.
‘He’s doing everything to keep his place because he feels that Dean stepped up and found another gear. Dean got a vital title for Palace (the FA Cup) and he was a big figure. This helped his confidence a lot.
‘Then we have the very young James Trafford who played a fantastic, record-breaking campaign with Burnley and got clean sheets.
‘Hopefully he can prove himself in the Premier League next season and then the race is on. It is a fight for every position, there is no exception for goalkeepers.’
England boss Thomas Tuchel (left) says Jordan Pickford (right) is his No 1 keeper… for now
Dean Henderson (left) and James Trafford (right) are the other GKs in England’s latest squad
England will face Andorra at Barcelona’s RCDE Stadium on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier
England face 173rd-ranked Andorra in Barcelona on Saturday and Tuchel demanded his players show the right attitude.
‘This is the next opportunity to show principles of our game, to show togetherness, a hunger and excitement,’ he added.
‘It takes a special approach to be such heavy favourites. We demand a convincing win, one without doubts.’
Meanwhile, Tuchel has told Jack Grealish he needs to find a new club.
The Manchester City winger is yet to be picked by the new England boss, who said: ‘He’s a unique player but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them.
‘He needs to make himself available by playing.’
