If Jordan Pickford does his best work when the chips are down, we might be about to see a tournament masterclass from the England goalkeeper.
Somewhat lost in the aftermath of the win against Croatia was just how uncharacteristically shaky Pickford was.
Appearing uncomfortable with Thomas Tuchel’s orders to play it out from the back at pace, he got it with both barrels when the England boss railed against him for opting to pick the ball up rather than recycling quickly to his right.
“You know what you’re supposed to do, do as I told you!” Tuchel told him.
It didn’t end there. Whisper it quietly, but he should have done better for Martin Baturina’s first-half leveller too. Stronger hands were required to cope with a long-range drive that was, admittedly, allowed by some porous defending by England’s inexperienced backline.
