England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has confirmed he may be able to step up and take a penalty at Euro 2024 if required.
The Three Lions are preparing for a quarter-final battle in the direction of certainly one of many teams of the match in Switzerland on Saturday after scraping by way of their ultimate 16 battle in the direction of Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time.
Landing on the alternative aspect of the draw from the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France, England are anticipated to realize a second consecutive European Championships closing. Nonetheless, given their stuttering performances so far this summer time season, it’d require additional gruelling extra-time battles and maybe even the unbearable stress of a penalty shootout.
There’s little query that England have improved in shootouts beneath Gareth Southgate, famously beating Colombia from the spot throughout the 2018 World Cup spherical of 16, whereas moreover they beat this Saturday’s opponents on penalties to protected a bronze medal on the 2018/19 Uefa Nations League.
Nonetheless, England moreover suffered a shootout disaster throughout the Euro 2020 closing at Wembley, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missing as a result of 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 a really perfect 6-5 report from the spot in Guimaraes, Portugal, 5 years previously — following a 0-0 draw between the two sides.
Admittedly, a third-place match throughout the inaugural Uefa Nations League Finals doesn’t convey the similar type of stress you’re extra prone to face in a similar state of affairs on the European Championships.
That talked about, the Everton goalkeeper dispatched his spot-kick in mannequin, whereas he’s a participant renowned for his functionality with the ball at his ft.
Requested this week whether or not or not or not he’d fancy stepping up as soon as extra if England’s quarter-final with Switzerland goes all the best way through which, Pickford was in little query.
“Certain, I’ll step up,” he confidently declared (by means of the Unbiased).
“I’m not the supervisor nonetheless I’ll comply with and I shall be prepared. All people has purchased to comply with on account of anyone could also be on the pitch at any time.
“The Nations League was a difficult sport, it went to penalties and everyone knows they’re a wonderful aspect, they’ve merely knocked out the reigning champions (Italy) and are participating in some very good soccer.
“They aren’t going to be a workforce we’re taking flippantly and we’re going to have to rearrange completely for it and that’s what we will be ready for.”
