"We never give up." Jordan Pickford on England's resilience.
But they have to start playing better.
Jordan Pickford strode from the activation marquee by England’s training pitches here in Blankenhain, past the soaked cricket wicket which really needed covers, and down to the edge of a golf fairway to talk determination, England and why they have a chance of the Euros.
Pickford, 30, called Jude Bellingham “Golden Boy” and used the example of the England No 10’s remarkable overhead kick in added time against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening as a symbol of the team’s resilience.
“We never say die, we knew we would always have that one chance,” Pickford said. “We fought right to the end. That team spirit and that togetherness shows character. People coming off the bench and putting a shift in, that’s what this squad mentality is all about.”
Along with John Stones, Pickford broke Ashley Cole’s record of 22 successive tournament starts. When he takes the field against Switzerland in the European Championship quarter-final Pickford will move alongside Paul Scholes and Tony Adams on 66 caps.
He spoke about how Aaron Ramsdale helps sharpen his reflexes in the minute before kick-off by kicking balls at him. “I’d do it for him,” Pickford explained. They are all in it together, goalkeepers supporting each other. When Ramsdale grabs the ball and dashes off, Pickford turns to the England fans behind the goal for a final gee-up.
“You know how passionate I am, I wear the shirt with pride, I see the fans behind the goal. We want to make the nation proud, ourselves proud and our family proud. We need the fans behind us, the atmosphere they create give us that added edge. Keep believing in us and we will give 100% for the badge all the time.”
And can England win? They face a better-organised Swiss side, knowing they need to start playing with more concentration, cohesion and forward momentum. And balance on the left. Pickford was hopeful that Luke Shaw could play a part in Dusseldorf. “He was ready to come on last night. He looks ready.”
England have played poorly so far, and progressed through some magical moments from Bellingham and Harry Kane. Pickford drew comfort from history. “Portugal in 2016 drew all three group games (against Iceland, Austria and Hungary) and went on to win the tournament,” he said.
So he now sets his sights on Saturday. “You’ve got to show resilience and character, we have just to keep fighting, believing, train hard and get the game plan right.”