Everton man forwards himself as surprise penalty candidate for England

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has confirmed he can be ready to step up and take a penalty at Euro 2024 if required. 

The Three Lions are getting ready for a quarter-final conflict towards one of many groups of the match in Switzerland on Saturday after scraping via their final 16 conflict towards Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time.

Touchdown on the opposite facet of the draw from the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France, England are anticipated to achieve a second consecutive European Championships closing. Nonetheless, given their stuttering performances up to now this summer season, it’d require extra gruelling extra-time battles and perhaps even the insufferable pressure of a penalty shootout.

There’s little question that England have improved in shootouts underneath Gareth Southgate, famously beating Colombia from the spot within the 2018 World Cup spherical of 16, whereas additionally they beat this Saturday’s opponents on penalties to safe a bronze medal on the 2018/19 Uefa Nations League.

Nonetheless, England additionally suffered a shootout catastrophe within the Euro 2020 closing at Wembley, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka lacking because the Three Lions misplaced 3-2 on penalties to Italy.

Pickford not afraid to take a penalty

Pickford was England’s fifth penalty taker as they beat Switzerland with an ideal 6-5 report from the spot in Guimaraes, Portugal, 5 years in the past — following a 0-0 draw between the 2 sides.

Admittedly, a third-place match within the inaugural Uefa Nations League Finals doesn’t convey the identical kind of stress you’re more likely to face in an analogous state of affairs on the European Championships.

That mentioned, the Everton goalkeeper dispatched his spot-kick in model, whereas he’s a participant famend for his capability with the ball at his ft.

Requested this week whether or not or not he’d fancy stepping up once more if England’s quarter-final with Switzerland goes all the way in which, Pickford was in little question.

“Sure, I’ll step up,” he confidently declared (by way of the Independent).

“I’m not the supervisor however I’ll follow and I shall be ready. Everybody has bought to follow as a result of anybody may be on the pitch at any time.

“The Nations League was a tricky sport, it went to penalties and we all know they’re an excellent facet, they’ve simply knocked out the reigning champions (Italy) and are taking part in some superb soccer.

“They aren’t going to be a workforce we’re taking flippantly and we’re going to have to arrange absolutely for it and that’s what we shall be prepared for.”