Pickford ‘puts future on hold’ ahead of Euros

He might be one the most talented young goalkeepers in the country, but Jordan Pickford is solely focussed on helping England win the U21 European Championships this summer.

Pickford was a rare bright spark for Sunderland in a dreary season which saw the Black Cats relegated from the Premier League.

The young stopper put in a string of fine performances and is now being touted as a future number one for England.

But while the keeper is expected to leave Sunderland and make a return to the Premier League, Pickford has put thinking about his future on hold.

He said: “It’s a hard one. I feel like I am proven in the Premier League but I have spoken to my agent and told him that I just want to concentrate on the Euros and be the best I can be. I’ll see where it takes me.

Photo credit: Getty Images

“You have to take [the transfer speculation] as a compliment. I have just got to keep concentrating on myself. I have had a good season but it is about doing it next season, the season after that, and then the one after that.”

England’s U21 side will face hosts Poland, Slovakia and Sweden as the Young Lions look to go all the way after crashing out in the group stages in 2015.