First choice England keeper Jordan Pickford was replaced by Leeds United’s James Trafford in the first of four Nations League games.
England keeper Jordan Pickford has saluted the progress of Leeds United’s James Trafford and declared his own new aim to now “break the ceiling again” for the Three Lions.
Pickford started every game for England at the World Cup apart from the third-placed play off for which Crystal Palace stopper Dean Henderson was given a go in goal but Pickford has dropped to the bench for England’s first two Nations League games in which new Leeds no 1 Trafford has started between the sticks.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel said ahead of the Nations League opener against Spain that Trafford and Pickford would be given two games each of the four Nations League matches during the current extended break, Trafford also playing the duration of Tuesday night’s win in the Czech Republic.
Pickford will now return to the starting line up for Saturday evening’s clash in Croatia, ahead of which the Everton keeper has saluted the progress of Trafford and declared that it was good for the Leeds stopper to get a start in a competitive England game.
Pickford, though, said it was all about showing the right reaction personally to Trafford being given a chance, the 32-year-old now aiming to raise the bar again upon being restored to the side.
“Traff has started really well for Leeds. I think it's good”
Pickford said: “It was good for me because I want to see where I am at and the manager said Traff is going to play two, I am going to play two and it's about me being a good team mate with good energy around the place on them two games and train well and set the standards in training and have that leadership role I feel like I have and just being there and being supportive.
“I think I have and I have done it really well over the two games.
"It's not normal for me but being a good teammate is the first and foremost the manager asks for you.
"You could have all the ability in the world, but you need to be a good teammate as well and I feel like I do that every time I am on camp. I'm passionate and all I want is I love watching playing and if I'm watching, I just want the best for England and that's to win and to bring that energy and I feel like I have dealt with it really well."
“How can I break that ceiling again”
Put to him that he couldn’t have liked it though, Pickford said: “No it was different. But I'd also say we've been together in a cycle now for two years and Deano played the third and fourth playoff against France and Traff has started really well for Leeds now and I think it's good for Traff to get a game.
"It's good for Deano to get the game as well because we've been together, and we've got a good unit around us a good set of lads.
“We've been together for that two years so Traff getting the minutes in a good competitive game and that's what the manager said he was doing, and you have got a respect that decision and it's now for me to go how can I break that ceiling again."