The Football Interview: Jordan Pickford Discusses Career and Ambitions
The Football Interview is a new series featuring in-depth conversations with some of the most prominent figures in sports and entertainment. Hosted by Kelly Somers, the show delves into the mindset and motivation of its guests, exploring defining moments, career highlights, and personal reflections. Each episode reveals the individual behind the athlete.
New interviews will be available every Saturday across BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. This week, the episode will air on BBC One at 23:55 GMT, following Sportscene in Scotland.
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Jordan Pickford, the goalkeeper for both Everton and the England national team, recently signed a new contract at Everton, a position he hopes to maintain for years to come. At 31 years old, Pickford began his career at his childhood club, Sunderland, before moving to Merseyside in 2017 after several loan spells at lower-league clubs.
Since joining Everton, Pickford has made over 300 appearances and has been awarded the club's Player of the Year four times, including for the last three consecutive seasons. Recently, he set a new England record for consecutive clean sheets, extending it to nine matches following a victory against Latvia earlier in October.
Before his return to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, Pickford sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his childhood, taking his son to football training, and his passion for motocross.
Kelly Somers: Let's start with football. What does it mean to you?
Jordan Pickford: It's all I know. I've been playing since I was five, so growing up as a football fan, becoming a footballer is a massive honor. It's a dream that only a few get to achieve, and I take great pride in it.
Kelly: Did you always envision yourself as a goalkeeper?
Jordan: I was always in goal. My first memory is playing as a goalkeeper in the street with my brother and his friends. When my brother's team needed a goalkeeper, I stepped in, and that was the beginning for me.
Kelly: A goalkeeper on concrete, no less?
Jordan: I guess I was a bit crazy!
Kelly: Who was your childhood idol?
Jordan: Kevin Phillips and Thomas Sorensen at Sunderland were my early idols, but as I got older, it became Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart.
Kelly: So you admired both attacking players and goalkeepers?
Jordan: Absolutely, Rooney is a legend! I was a bit too young for Paul Gascoigne.
Kelly: What was it like joining Sunderland as a boyhood fan?
Jordan: I joined Sunderland's development squad at seven or eight and signed my first contract at under-nine. You had to perform well each year to earn another contract. Once I started playing and attending games, it was fantastic, but it was really at 14 or 15 that I realized I had a real opportunity.
Kelly: Was there a moment when you thought, 'I could make it here'?
Jordan: Training with the youth team at Sunderland at 14 or 15 made me feel like I was on the right path. I was given time off school for training, and that's when I knew I was committed.
Kelly: You faced challenges at Sunderland with numerous loans, but eventually made it to Everton. How was that transition?
Jordan: Those loan spells were crucial. Playing in lower leagues was more beneficial than youth team football. It put me under real pressure, and I learned and matured as a goalkeeper. When I was on loan at Preston, I was called back by Sam Allardyce, signed a new contract, and made my debut in the FA Cup against Arsenal that same week. A week later, I made my Premier League debut, which was another valuable experience.
Kelly: There seems to be excitement around Everton, and you're often linked to other clubs. Why was now the right time to sign a new deal?
Jordan: Initially, we were in Europe, and that was the goal. After a rollercoaster period, things are looking positive, and the club is moving in the right direction. The signings we've made this season reflect that ambition, and I believe we will see more positive results as we aim to climb the table. Playing in the Premier League is my focus, and I'm glad I have that opportunity with Everton.
Kelly: What are Everton's ambitions this season?
Jordan: I prefer to take it game by game rather than looking at the end of the season. However, we aim to be in the top half of the table and strive for European qualification. Sustaining that momentum is key, and with our squad, I believe we can push for Europe, whether it’s the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League.
Kelly: As for England, things are looking good too—qualifying for the World Cup and breaking Gordan Banks' record with nine clean sheets. What does that achievement mean to you?
Jordan: I don't take all the credit for that. It's a tremendous honor to break a record held by a legend like Banks. However, it's a team effort—we win, lose, and keep clean sheets together. Harry Kane scores regularly, but my role is to step up when needed and make saves. I stay focused as a goalkeeper because even in games where I’m less involved, I must be ready to contribute when called upon.