Jordan Pickford makes England 'leader' admission after Everton heroics

Jordan Pickford reckons he now has the calmness, the quality and the character to lead England to success.

Any debate about who should be Gareth Southgate's number one long-term keeper is over, especially after Pickford played a key part in helping Everton keep their Premier League status. And Pickford is happy to take on a senior role as Southgate's side look to make up for two near misses in major tournaments when they head to Qatar later this year.

The Everton keeper said: "I'm 28 now, I've got quite a few caps and you have to be a leader when you're a bit older. I think for myself, I'm definitely one of them. I am commanding on the pitch and quite vocal but I also have that calm demeanour and try to make the right decision at the right time. It looks like I am pumped up but I have that calmness about me as well now."

And Pickford reckons the let-downs in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018 and the Euro 2020 final against Italy in 2021 will spur him and his team-mates on in Qatar. Asked if England could win World Cup 2022, he replied: "Yes. Obviously it is going to be challenging against the best teams in the world but it is about us having belief in ourselves.

"We've come so far and had the disappointment in the World Cup semi-final and Euro final - that disappointment drives us. The disappointment was getting so close and losing, getting to the final and losing.

"We are proud of what we have achieved but when you get that close it gives you that added extra confidence to go and win the World Cup."

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Pickford was instrumental in Everton's dramatic survival mission but he believes it was only a continuation of a long run of good form.

He said: "It was good form at the end of the season but my consistency levels over the past 18 months have been really good and I've been really happy with them but I just want to keep getting better and better."

And he reckons the way Everton managed to stay in the top flight will give him a psychological boost, saying: "It was a big relief towards the end. It was quite tiring … there were a lot of emotions.

"Those experiences you can always take on board and I think they make you better, no matter what games you've played. Knowing you're never out of a game and fighting against relegation is a really hard challenge.

"We were in a position we didn't want to be in but we can be proud of ourselves that we got out of it and take confidence from that. And we can be confident we can take this on as a team at Everton, but also for yourself, it's a really good achievement."

Pickford's main competition with England appears to be Aaron Ramsdale but it is a threat he is happy to live with. He said: " You always want challenges. I really enjoy those challenges and I want to be number one for England for longer."