England's warriors are primed for battle, their sights fixed firmly on World Cup glory. Jordan Pickford, the Toffees' talismanic goalkeeper, has declared that Gareth Southgate's troops are ready to "go to war" under the leadership of new boss Thomas Tuchel as they prepare to take on DR Congo in the last-32 tie.
Having laid down a marker by topping Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama in New Jersey, England is now gunning for a place in the round of 16 and an end to the significant trophy drought that stretches back to 1966. A seasoned pro who's been part of two consecutive European Championship final squads under Southgate, Pickford has always believed in England's capacity to clinch a major tournament – and he thinks Tuchel is the catalyst for their success.
"Belief, togetherness – that's what sets us apart," Pickford explained when quizzed by BBC Sport about the current campaign. "We've had it before, but I think the manager's got that belief in us." He praised Tuchel's motivational approach, saying: "The meetings he has with us, it's like you're ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. We all want the same goal, we all want that end goal – and this squad he's picked is a team on a mission."
But Pickford's not just relying on his own inner fire – he's also working with a psychologist to fine-tune his focus and ensure peak performance during critical moments. "It's a lot of growth I'm working on, being the best version of myself," he said in an ITV Sport interview. "We've got targets, we're all about being the best version of me and where that can take me – and believing in it, being me."
The next hurdle in England's quest for World Cup glory is the DR Congo showdown, who advanced as one of the best third-placed teams following their win over Uzbekistan on Saturday. While Pickford's penalty-saving prowess could prove crucial if the tie extends beyond normal time, he stressed that the squad's collective resolve to secure victory within 90 minutes will be key – and they're ready for anything that comes their way.
"If it goes to penalties, extra-time – we've got the ability, we've got the lads to come off the bench," Pickford said. "Our togetherness is at a high level, and that's what we're here to do. We know Congo's a tough nation, they're proud and will bring their A-game – but so are we."