England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has confirmed he could be ready to step up and take a penalty at Euro 2024 if required.
The Three Lions are making ready for a quarter-final conflict in opposition to one of many groups of the match in Switzerland on Saturday after scraping by means of their final 16 conflict in opposition to Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time.
Touchdown on the opposite facet of the draw from the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France, England are anticipated to succeed in a second consecutive European Championships last. Nonetheless, given their stuttering performances to date this summer season, it would require extra gruelling extra-time battles and perhaps even the insufferable pressure of a penalty shootout.
There’s little doubt that England have improved in shootouts underneath Gareth Southgate, famously beating Colombia from the spot within the 2018 World Cup spherical of 16, whereas additionally they beat this Saturday’s opponents on penalties to safe a bronze medal on the 2018/19 Uefa Nations League.
Nonetheless, England additionally suffered a shootout catastrophe within the Euro 2020 last at Wembley, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka lacking because 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 an ideal 6-5 document from the spot in Guimaraes, Portugal, 5 years in the past — following a 0-0 draw between the 2 sides.
Admittedly, a third-place match within the inaugural Uefa Nations League Finals doesn’t deliver the identical type of strain you’re more likely to face in an identical scenario on the European Championships.
That mentioned, the Everton goalkeeper dispatched his spot-kick in model, whereas he’s a participant famend for his means with the ball at his toes.
Requested this week whether or not or not he’d fancy stepping up once more if England’s quarter-final with Switzerland goes all the way in which, Pickford was in little doubt.
“Sure, I’ll step up,” he confidently declared (by way of the Unbiased).
“I’m not the supervisor however I’ll observe and I will probably be ready. Everybody has obtained to observe as a result of anybody may be on the pitch at any time.
“The Nations League was a troublesome recreation, it went to penalties and we all know they’re an excellent facet, they’ve simply knocked out the reigning champions (Italy) and are enjoying some excellent soccer.
“They aren’t going to be a staff we’re taking evenly and we’re going to have to arrange totally for it and that’s what we will probably be prepared for.”
