Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford got the chance to play with one of his heroes while on international duty.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has told The Telegraph that he tries to model himself on England’s number one goalkeeper Joe Hart, who left Manchester City this summer on loan.
The Black Cats stopper got the opportunity to work with Hart during the last international break when Pickford received his first call-up to the England senior squad, and the 22-year-old has been talking about another encounter he had with Hart back in 2012.
England’s Jordan Pickford during training
After seeing his side grab a late winner against Manchester City courtesy of Ji Dong-Won on New Year’s Day, Pickford got the chance to speak to the goalkeeper after helping out with the Sunderland kits as part of his duties as a member of the Under-18s squad.
“I asked for Hart’s shirt after the game,” Pickford told The Telegraph.
“I’ve got it framed in my house. Every time I see him, we always speak to each other and he asks how I am doing. When he was younger, he was at Shrewsbury and he was going out on loan and playing. I’ve tried to model myself a little bit like him.”
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford saves from Tottenham’s Erik Lamela
Having spent time in the lower divisions and out on loan, Hart and Pickford have had similar paths to the top, although the former is seven years older than the latter, winning two Premier League titles.
Pickford is only just beginning his career as a goalkeeper in the top flight, and having an inspiration like Hart close to him can only be good news for the Washington-born player, who could certainly be a future England number one.
The Sunderland stopper could also be a Premier League winner like Hart, but that may require him moving away from the Stadium of Light, where he is yet to even win a league game this season.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
