Everton return to Premier League action a week on Saturday when they face Brentford, and David Moyes' side are in the mix for European football next season
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford(Image: (Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
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Jordan Pickford has revealed Everton are taking it one game at a time in their quest to secure European qualification.
Goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye boosted the Blues’ chances of securing European football next season while denting Chelsea's Champions League hopes before the international break.
The superb 3-0 home win left David Moyes’ side eighth in the Premier League, just three points off the top five with seven games to go.
And Pickford said “Seven games left and the manager will be pushing game by game now.
“We're not going to look at Tottenham (Hotspur) away on the last day or anything like that, we're going to be focused on our next one – Brentford away next week. Hopefully we'll get the Toffees in Europe.”
Pickford was speaking following England’s 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley on Tuesday night.
But the goalkeeper star shut down the suggestion that the loss will dent the Three Lions' confidence heading into this summer’s World Cup.
He said: "I hate losing, but it's part of football – you can't win them all and it was a good game, a good test against a very good side.
“They've only lost one of their past 17 games, so we knew what we were going into, and small moments decide games, which was the case. It's a good experience for us ahead of the tournament in the summer.
“We know what we are. We know who we are as England, and we know when we get to camp in Miami that we're going to be on it, the boss will push us, and we'll be ready for the tournament.”
Jordan Pickford and Ezrie Konsa during England's defeat to Japan
Jordan Pickford and Ezrie Konsa during England's defeat to Japan(Image: (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images))
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The Everton No.1 won the first of his 82 caps in 2017 and has been first choice for his country virtually ever since, keeping the likes of Jack Butland, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale at bay over the course of the last four major tournaments.
“I think it just shows the hard work I put in,” Pickford said. “I do my best for Everton week-in, week-out, and I'm always striving to improve.
“I'm only 32, which is young as a keeper, so I'm just striving to keep getting better. I wear the England shirt with immense pride, and I think everyone in the country knows how much it means to me.
“When I'm racking up numbers like that, I think it's a credit to myself and what I'm doing when I'm with my club. When I'm with England, it's about being a leader as well.
James Trafford, Jordan Pickford and Jason Steele during an England training session
James Trafford, Jordan Pickford and Jason Steele during an England training session(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
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“I'm a leader at Everton, and I'm a leader [for England] – I think you can see that when you watch the game. I'm there to give the best version of myself and help others around me.”
And when asked if winning his 100th cap has come into his thinking, Pickford replied: “Yeah, of course. There are goals – but we know the main goal, and it's a team game.
“I've always said, I don't even care if I concede four goals as long as we win 5-4. It's a team game, and I want to win matches.”