sport news Jordan Pickford is optimistic, enthusiastic and fearless... he is critical to ... trends now
Them's the breaks, so they say. It's a little phrase that will be in the mind this weekend when Jordan Pickford takes his place once more in England's goal.
Everton's number one is about to join an exclusive club, the latest player to reach 50 England caps. Occasionally these milestones creep up on individuals but Pickford, from many weeks ago, had worked out that December 10 in Al Khor would be important.
He anticipated it would be a showdown with Kylian Mbappe and Company and, on arrival here in Qatar, wouldn't consider the idea that England wouldn't reach the quarter-finals. He's a lively character, full of optimism and enthusiasm, and this occasion will hold no fears whatsoever.
Jordan Pickford is set to win his 50th cap for his country against France after debuting in 2017
Gareth Southgate, when he was involved with England's development squad, always knew Pickford would go on to play at the highest level. He gave him his Under-21 debut against the United States in September 2015 and, fittingly, did the same at senior level against Germany in November 2017.
Would he have reached 50 caps by now, though, if Jack Butland hadn't broken his finger? Southgate was considering using the then Stoke keeper in that fixture at Wembley, having worked closely with him between 2013 and 2015 with the Under-21s.
Butland, at that point, had greater Premier League experience than Pickford and Southgate, who was looking at options to challenge Joe Hart, liked his commanding presence. What might have happened had he avoid a calamity at St George's Park that left him in a splint?
When the opportunity presented itself to Pickford, though, he was ready to barge through the door. It was five months after he had joined Everton for £30million and there would be no looking back - a clean sheet against the reigning world champions was the perfect starting point.
Pickford has been in superb form in Qatar - it has highlighted how crucial he is to England
The Everton stopper pulled off a superb save from Boulaye Dia early on against Senegal
There have been debates about Pickford's suitability for this position of England number one ahead of every tournament to which he has been but, to see him in action in Qatar, the quality of his performances with Three Lions on his chest have essentially been
