sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Jordan Pickford Being Considered As One Of England's Penalty Takers vs Germany

Jordan Pickford Being Considered As One Of England's Penalty Takers vs Germany

England are preparing for a penalty shoot-out scenario, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in line to take a spot-kick.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Jordan Pickford has emerged as one of England's potential penalty takers should Tuesday's Euro 2020 last-16 game with Germany go to a shoot-out.

25 years ago, manager Gareth Southgate infamously missed the decisive spot-kick in the Euro 96 semi-final against tomorrow's opposition but has seen his England side win 100 per cent of their shoot-outs.

Pickford was the hero in both instances against Colombia and Switzerland - even taking a penalty in the latter fixture back in 2019.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Named as one of England's five takers, the Everton goalkeeper sent Yann Sommer the wrong way and produced an emphatic finish from 12 yards before going on to make the crucial save that secured third place in the UEFA Nations League.

The Daily Mail say that Pickford has continued to impress with his penalty-taking during training and is in contention to be one of the Three Lions' early takers in the event of a shoot-out.

Having seen both goalkeepers forced to step up in a crazy Europa League final penalty shoot-out last month, the former Sunderland man expressed his interest in taking a penalty prior to the Euros.

"Hopefully, we don't have to go to a shootout in this tournament, but, if we do, we'll be well prepared," Pickford told the Official England Podcast.

"I'll put plenty of practice into taking them as well. You need to be there for the team if called upon. I'll step up and take one.

"We have plenty of quality finishers in the group, so I might be put down the pecking order!

"But I'll practice and make sure I nail penalties in training in case I need to take one."

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has already given his seal of approval to Pickford, hailing his technique and shooting abilities.

"He's a very clean striker of the ball," Phillips said.

"It makes it a lot easier when you have a keeper who could probably score a free-kick as well as a penalty."

England are believed to have practiced penalties after almost every training session since September - even going as far as imitating the long "walk of shame" from the halfway line to the penalty spot.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"There's a little bit more focus on it this week but we don't start that this week because that would be too late and also we didn't want to make a bigger thing of it than it is," Southgate commented.

'We created a process that works for us. We think the players understand that and we'll be well prepared if it comes to that moment."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football, England, Jordan Pickford