Jordan Pickford: Everton Goalkeeper Talks About His Career, World Cup Dream and Love of Motocross

Jordan Pickford’s Journey Through Football

In a candid conversation with Kelly Somers for the new BBC interview series, “The Football Interview,” goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reflects on his career beginnings and aspirations. Born in 1994, Pickford started at Sunderland as a young boy and eventually made it to Everton, where he has established himself as one of England’s top goalkeepers.

Early Career and Development

Pickford’s journey began with his local club, Sunderland, from the age of seven. He recalls how he was always in goal, even as a child playing on concrete streets with his brother and friends. “I was always in goal,” Pickford states. “My first memory was being in goal. I remember playing with my brother and his mates in the street and I was in the goal on the concrete.”

At Sunderland, Pickford’s progress was steady but challenging.

He mentions taking day release training at age 14 or 15 to train with the youth team: “It starts at a younger age now but when I was growing up you used to get day release one day a week on a Tuesday, so you had the full day at training. At 14 or 15 I got invited to train on Thursday morning at Sunderland and train with the youth team, so I used to have a day and a half off school so that was when I thought that I was sticking it properly then.”

Professional Career and Achievements

Pickford’s professional career saw him make multiple loan moves before he joined Everton permanently in 2017. His time at Preston North End, for instance, proved crucial: “The loans I would say now if any goalkeeper can have an opportunity to go on loan and play in the lower leagues it will be more beneficial than youth team football. You are playing a proper game, there’s a lot more pressure that you thrive off and you learn and mature more as a goalkeeper.

It is probably the best thing that happened to me going on all those loans.”

At Everton, Pickford has become an integral part of the team, making over 300 appearances and winning the player of the year award four times in recent seasons. His performance for England includes setting a new record for consecutive clean sheets with nine matches after his return from a loan spell at Preston.

Personal Life and Future Ambitions

“When I first signed we were in Europe and that was the driver then and that is where Everton should be,” Pickford explains. “We had the two or three years that were a bit of a rollercoaster ride, weathered those storms and now it is all looking positive and the club is going in the right direction.” He adds, “I think we will see a lot more positive results and us pushing higher up the table. You want to be playing in the Premier League and I have that opportunity with Everton.”

Reflecting on his career, Pickford emphasizes his desire to win the World Cup: “Winning the World Cup is something I always strive for. That would do me.

It is what the whole nation is waiting for.” His ambition is clear: “For me, to lift that World Cup or a major trophy for England would be number one and if I could ever get silverware at Everton that would be number two.”

Despite his achievements, Pickford remains grounded, focusing on the present moment. He discusses how he uses psychologists to stay mentally prepared: “You have to stay mentally prepared. Every goalkeeper is different.

For me it will be if the ball is in the other half of the pitch I will always be on the right side, always mirroring the pitch and making sure I feel if it is breaking down I am in the right position to maybe get a through-ball or make a save.”

Looking ahead, Pickford expresses his passion for motocross: “I would do it if I could but there are strict rules in our contracts where we are not allowed to do activities like that. That is probably one thing in my life I would have loved to have done.” His journey from Sunderland’s youth academy to the top of English football highlights his dedication and perseverance.