Jordan Pickford has set his sights on catching a goalkeeping legend when England face Republic of Ireland at Wembley tomorrow.
Pickford is poised to win his 73rd cap and join 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks in tied fourth on the all-time list of appearance makers between the sticks. Pickford knows it will be an honour to match the record of Banks.
But the 30-year-old doesn’t want to stop there – and is on a mission to overtake those still above him. These include Joe Hart and David Seaman, who won 75 caps, while Peter Shilton remains England’s most capped player in history with 125.
Pickford said: “One more, so I’ll get prepared and hopefully get the call for Sunday and equal Gordon Banks. I just want to keep pushing and getting better as a goalkeeper.
“I know 75 is Harty and David Seaman, so that is another target in my sights. It’s about focusing and keep getting better in myself. I know the numbers, but I take every game as it comes.”
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The Everton shotstopper added: “It’s about performing and wearing the shirt with pride and passion. There is nothing more I enjoy than playing for England.”
England moved into top spot in Nations League Group B2 as Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones’ superb finish completed the victory.
Jones produced a beautiful flicked effort with seven minutes of normal time to go, adding to Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins’ early opener and a 77th-minute Odysseas Vlachodimos own goal.
Playing their penultimate game under interim boss Lee Carsley – who started captain Harry Kane on the bench – ahead of Thomas Tuchel taking charge in January, the Three Lions leapfrogged Greece into first place and can now seal it, and promotion to League A, with victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday.