Pickford: I work with a psychologist and I'm only getting better now

who is expected to be

’s number 1 goalkeeper in the

said he is in the best form of his career in an interview with Sky Sports.

"I always want to be the best Jordan Pickford I can be,"

he told Sky Sports.

"I put a lot of hard work in on and off the field to become the best.

"I work with a psychologist, I get myself in the best physical condition I can be, then the goalkeeping takes care of itself.

"I feel over the last two years, I've been in the best mindset and I've definitely knuckled down more, improved and had more consistency.

"I feel like I'm only getting better now at my age."

The 28-year-old Pickford revealed that he decided to work with a psychologist when he was under pressure for his poor form.

"It was my idea,"

he added.

"My agent had mentioned it years ago but I always felt it was down to me to say it, and it was me who made the phone call.

"I'll be honest with you, I wasn't in the best form. It was about, 'how can I become better? How can I improve myself and get back to that level?'.

"The passion will always be there. I was born with that passion. But talking to the psychologist, it's about composure with passion.

"I feel I've been in very good form for Everton over the last couple of years.

"I did have a bad spell in 2019/20, but no one is perfect. It's about how you come back from your downs and your bad games. I feel like I've done that.

"I've changed as a person and I've got better over time.”

Pickford has been England’s number 1 goalkeeper for the majority of Gareth Southgate's time as manager and also worked with each other at the junior level.

"A few weeks ago, when I was injured, he rang me,"

added Pickford.

"I wanted to go and be part of the squad [for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany] but he just said, 'get your head down, get ready for the World Cup and get back for Everton'.

"I think he knows what I'm capable of and I'll always remember when I was in the U17s, in the Euros semi-final, the gaffer being at the game in Serbia.

"He's always stood by me, but I also feel like I've always given my all. I always graft and give 100 per cent every time I'm away with the national team.”

Pickford was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals in Russia and also reached the Euro 2020 final. He insisted that despite rising pressure on England they have the capability to win the World Cup.

"At the Russia World Cup, there wasn't much expectation. Now there is expectation and every game is crucial,"

he said.

"Ourselves, as a group of lads, the belief is going to be there. We know want we want. We want to go all the way and win it.

"You've got to beat the best teams to win it. There's no denying it's going to be tough. But we have that belief in ourselves to go as far as we can in the tournament."

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