England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is in no doubt the players will be "ready to go to war" for manager Thomas Tuchel when they take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
After seeing off Panama 2-0 in New Jersey to secure top spot in Group L, England head into the knockout stages looking to keep themselves on course to deliver a first trophy since 1966.
Pickford – part of the squad which reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate – has long championed England as having the needed quality and mentality to win a major tournament.
When asked in an interview with BBC Sport what was different this time around, the Everton goalkeeper said: "Belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager's got that belief in us.
"The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There is different meetings he has tactically, and it is like 'yeah, it is go time'.
After seeing off Panama 2-0 in New Jersey to secure top spot in Group L, England head into the knockout stages looking to keep themselves on course to deliver a first trophy since 1966.
Pickford – part of the squad which reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate – has long championed England as having the needed quality and mentality to win a major tournament.
When asked in an interview with BBC Sport what was different this time around, the Everton goalkeeper said: "Belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager's got that belief in us.
"The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There is different meetings he has tactically, and it is like 'yeah, it is go time'.
4 months ago
