Jordan Pickford talks to Wayne Rooney about England’s number one, the World Cup and mutual love

Pickford joined just months before making his England debut in 2017. Everton from Sunderland Originally £25m.

Rooney left later that summer Everton In the year In 2004, they won five Premier League and Champions League titles in 13 years. Manchester Unitedreturned to Goodison Park.

“I had a price tag when I bought him – the most expensive English keeper – so there was that pressure,” Pickford told Rooney.

“We won 1-0 in your first game and you scored with a header and in my first Premier League game at Goodison we made a good save so I put myself in a good position.”

Rooney was instantly impressed by Pickford’s performance.

“At the time, I thought it might happen Everton And England’s number one goalkeeper for a long time,’ he said.

Nine years later and Pickford is right – and in October signed a new contract to keep him with the Toffees until 2029.

But after joining Everton They have never finished higher than eighth in the Premier League and are in danger of missing out on European football for an eighth consecutive season.

During the interview, Rooney asked Pickford about his decision to stay.

“I don’t agree, but a lot of people say, ‘Why don’t you move on?’ Everton?” he says.

“For you to be so loyal, to the club you were at, it’s very rare these days.

“With your skills you can say: ‘OK, do you want to go and play in the Champions League?’ But you are stuck Everton. for what?”