Pickford on England’s World Cup dream and penalty preparations | OneFootball

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has spoken about the squad’s ambitions of going all the way at this summer’s World Cup.

After topping Group L, the Three Lions will take on DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta. However, Thomas Tuchel’s side will be aiming to go much deeper in the tournament.

“It’s everyone’s dream, everyone’s goal in life,” Pickford answered on the possibility of winning the World Cup. “Representing England, every time I put the shirt on I’m so proud as an English fan to put the shirt on and I’m passionate.

“That’s our dream but you’ve got chapters along the way. First task is Congo tomorrow and that’s our focus at this moment in time.”

The 32-year-old continued: “I’ve been in five major tournaments now, you’ve got to enjoy that pressure.

“Everyone’s different, people might get a little bit nervous but it brings out the best of us. For me I always feel like the best has been brought out of me in pressure situations.

“People have got to step up and that’s what we do as England.”

As the knockout stages commence, they bring with them the possibility of penalty shootouts. Germany and the Netherlands have both already been eliminated on spot kicks, a fate that England will hope to avoid.

“You’ve got to be prepared for anything,” insisted Pickford. “Knockout football now, anything can happen.

“For us as England, we want to win in 90 minutes but if it takes 120, if it takes penalties we’re prepared. We’ve done all the training and we’re ready for the game.”

The goalkeeper added: “If they’re missing pens, that’s good for goalkeepers. Everyone is different, every keeper is different, everyone’s got their own  routines, their own preparations for it.

“You’ve seen last night with Bounou, with his save – it’s a different save and he put them off. But that happens and that’s football, everyone’s different.

“Like the manager said it’s higher pressure. It’s about execution and repetition, and that’s what we’re prepared for.”

Here Pickford clearly echoed earlier words from Tuchel. The England boss maintained: “We are prepared, we know the process and the players know the process. We have prepared as much as you can prepare for it.

“You cannot train all of it. It comes down to execution, it comes down to repetitive action.”