Jordan Pickford makes x-rated promise to new England boss Thomas Tuchel… and delivers parting message to Lee Carsley after his final match

Jordan Pickford has vowed to extend his seven-year run as England’s number one amid the arrival of new manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Everton star became The Three Lions’ first choice goalkeeper at the age of 23 and remained a favourite of former boss Gareth Southgate throughout his tenure.

The Sunderland-born shot-stopper reached legendary status early on in his England career after saving a penalty in the side’s shootout win over Colombia in the 2018 World Cup and has not looked back since, playing every match in their runs to two Euro finals and the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Amid growing competition for his place, Pickford’s form has remained solid, featuring in five of interim boss Lee Carsley’s six games in charge and conceding just twice.

And the 30-year-old has now promised to fight off his goalkeeping rivals and continue his spell between the England posts which has seen him equal Gordon Banks’s tally of 73 caps, the Mirror reports.

He said: ‘I’m still young as a keeper, I’m still fine, still learning, still getting better.

The goalkeeper became an England legend after saving a penalty against Colombia in 2018

He has now promised to work hard to keep his place amid new boss Thomas Tuchel’s arrival

‘I’ll go back to Everton now, I’ll work my b******* off. I’ll work hard on the training pitch, I’ll get myself prepared right for Saturday. That’s what I do for England. I’ve come away, I’ve had a great week, two clean sheets but I’ve trained well.

‘You’ve got to train well and be in the right mindset, that’s what I do every day. For me, I always say you’ve got to be on form for your club to get picked for your country. I’ve always looked at it that way.

‘There’s definitely new energy and there’s going to be a lot of competition for places. But that’s what it’s about. You want the best players for England at the right moment and hopefully going forward next year we’ve got that squad ready to win. 

‘The new manager is going to come in January and he’s a winner. Our main target is to get to the USA and lift that trophy. We’ve been so close, we want to go that one step further.’

It has not all been smooth sailing for Pickford between the England posts. 

The goalkeeper played a pass straight to Belgium’s Amadou Onana which led to the away side’s opener in March and he got away with the same mistake against Greece last month after Anastasios Bakasetas missed a golden chance after being gifted the ball by Pickford.

The Everton man then lost his place for the home match against Finland, leading to reports he was facing a battle for his starting berth in the England side. 

Interim head coach Carsley insisted it was always his plan to give Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson a game in the previous international break and that Pickford’s omission against Finland should not be viewed as a demotion.

Pickford’s form remains solid for Everton but he faces competition for his Three Lions place

Dean Henderson (centre) and James Trafford (left) are among those vying for his spot

The goalkeeper added that there had been a ‘new energy’ around the side under Lee Carsley

However, it is understood that Pickford will face a fight to retain his place as England’s No 1 upon Tuchel’s arrival.

The lack of an obvious replacement for Pickford could work in the 30-year-old’s favour, while his vast tournament experience will also aid his cause.

Henderson, Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale are among the players who could emerge as contenders for Pickford’s spot.

Burnley keeper James Trafford is rated highly by coaching staff at England headquarters, but the fact he is playing Championship football is expected to preclude his selection this season. 

Pickford did his chances no harm in a solid display against Ireland on Sunday, producing another clean sheet in an emphatic 5-0 win at Wembley.