Chelsea-owned Leeds United goalkeeper Jamal Blackman has suggested to The Daily Mail that he will use Everton and England international custodian Jordan Pickford as an example.
Pickford was a star for England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer, as the Gareth Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper joined Everton from Sunderland in the summer of 2017 for a transfer fee stated on the Toffees’ official website to be worth £25 million.
Blackman has moved to Leeds on a season-long loan deal from Premier League club Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old – who earns £416,000 per year as salary, according to Spotrac.com – has suggested that he will use Pickford as an example to play out from the back under Leeds head coach Bielsa this season.
Blackman told The Daily Mail: “I had great managers at Chelsea like Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho and everyone there talked about Bielsa and the amazing work he’s done.
“Jordan Pickford showed at the World Cup it’s important for goalkeepers to have the confidence to use both feet. It helps having a manager that backs you, and allows you to make a mistake.”
First-choice goalkeeper at Leeds United
Bailey Peacock-Farrell ended last season as the first-choice goalkeeper for Leeds, but Blackman is likely to start the 2018-19 campaign as the number one between the posts.
The 24-year-old played well for Sheffield United in the Championship during his loan spell last season, and Leeds fans should be confident that the goalkeeper will be a success at Elland Road in 2018-19.
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