The English goalkeeper Pickford: his biggest fan is himself

Jordan Pickford does not lack self-confidence, which has also led him to the semifinals of the World Cup. (David Gray / Reuters)

For many years, the English have suffered flops from their guardians. And the long suffering explains to some extent the extent of the exuberant reverence that Jordan Pickford faces. Since Pickford knocked out Colombian's Carlos Bacca de Penaltypunkt in the round of 16, he is celebrated as a destroyer of myths; England would finally have had to ban the curse from not being able to win a penalty shootout. With the 24 years of Pickford, the Three Lions finally have another player between the posts, who does not shake hands at crucial moments, but keeps his nerves.

Pickford resigned after being 2-0 in the quarterfinals against Sweden's "Man of the Match" in front of the media and chewing on an Englishman who betrays his north-west origin. With three phenomenal parades, two against Marcus Berg and one against Viktor Claesson, he also had his big moments in the fifth World Cup match. "That's why I'm here to be ready for these balls," said Pickford, who has sung a lot with the fans after the semifinal. "Fans like me, and I'm the biggest of my fans," says Pickford

. Modesty is not the first proper virtue to keep the door of England. Rather self-confidence in short-mowed hair spikes. Pickford talks a bit about the last step that he wants to do with the team through the title semifinal, then he catches the trophy and looks at the same exit on the smartphone, what's up – or can -being who he is congratulated everyone for his success

How to grow

People like Sam Allardyce or Thibaut Courtois may not have been there. Allardyce, who had given a pitiful figure as England coach in the short term after Roy Hodgson's retirement, has made fun of Pickford's size before the World Cup. We could not put it with its 185 cm yes in an extensible bed, had Allardyce gehöhnt. And Belgian goalkeeper Courtois said after winning 1-0 in the World Cup group match, he would have prevented the door himself unlike Pickford. But such a controversy can not impress Jordan Pickford. "I know what people are talking about, it does not bother me," he said one day.

Because despite his youth, Pickford has already seen a lot of things as a goalkeeper. Behind him, there are only two seasons in the Premier League, before the transfer of 30 million francs from Sunderland to Everton, he took his mental difficulties as a lender in small clubs of the lower leagues as Darlington, Alfreton, Carlisle, Bradford or Preston. "When you play in front of 500 people and you understand each word of the fans behind your own goal, you will grow up," said Pickford recently, "it's what makes you teenager."

Such a career naturally gives birth to romantic stories the son of a construction worker and a housekeeper from Little North Washington on Tyne and Wear, who is now in the semifinals of the World Cup and against Croatia will make only its ninth international match. That this English fairy tale became reality, it took a little more than the ingredients for colorful tales. For example, coach Gareth Southgate, who adroitly defended Pickford on the eve of the World Cup, warned that an inexperienced dwarf could not win a pot of flowers in Russia.

Former U-21 coach Southgate has known Pickford for a long time. A year ago, England failed with Pickford at the U21 European Championship in Poland only in the semifinals during the penalty shootout against the eventual winner of l & # 39; Germany. To reinforce Pickford, Southgate repeated in one mantra: "He has everything that makes a modern goalkeeper." Pickford has repaid the trust.

Almost as good as a field player

The modern goalkeeper does not only do the defensive work but also the understanding of the game and the skills with the ball on the foot. Both things are particularly important for Pickford. He anticipates the development of ball-and-no-ball play, organizes people face-to-face and senses when the game needs rhythm or comfort. Above all, he is both a two-legged technician and a brilliant technician with the ball on his foot. His club coach David Moyes sometimes allows Pickford to play midfield at training to show the team that his goalkeeper could also compete as a defensive player. Of course, Pickford will stay in goal against Croatia – and will not feel the burden of hope.