Jordan Pickford believes he is currently in the form of his life and explained why he thrives off competition.
The Everton goalkeeper was instrumental in helping his side preserve their top-flight status last season. A string of impressive displays helped Frank Lampard’s side avoid the drop.
Games towards the back end of the campaign will always live long in the memory, with Pickford pulling off two world class saves in Everton’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park.
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And the England international has picked up where he left off last season, playing a key role in Everton’s solid start to the campaign. Pickford secured another clean sheet as the Blues returned to winning ways against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
“I feel my own form has been good,” he told talkSPOR T. “I think I’ve carried it on and been consistent over the last couple of years now and just keep on striving to get better and better. I feel like I’ve started well, unfortunately I missed the England games and one game against West Ham through injury.
“But I worked hard to get back out on the pitch as quick as I can. My own form is good and I just keep on building and building and each game I’m ready for.” Asked if he’s in the best form of his career, he replied: “Most consistent over the last two or three years, yes.”
Pickford has competition for the No.1 spot for both club and country, and although some goalkeepers can crumble under that pressure, the 28-year-old has explained why he thrives off such competition.
He said: “You always want competition. I thrive off competition. It thrives me to get better. If they are pushing you, I need to go to the next step so they need to push you even further.
“For me, it is just about being the best, having a good set of goalkeepers for England because we always want the best for each other. I think we all agree with that, if it’s Popey, Rammers, Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, we have got loads.
“It is just about being the best I can be and the lads keep pushing me to become better. I really enjoy that pressure of competition behind me.”
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