Shared Legacy of Rooney and Pickford at Everton and England
The parallels between Wayne Rooney and Jordan Pickford are notable, both having strong ties to Everton, England, and record-breaking achievements.
Their mutual respect and passion for club and country are evident during an extensive conversation on the Wayne Rooney Show.
Collectively, Pickford and Rooney have made 550 appearances for Everton and 202 for England.
Rooney holds the distinction as England's all-time top scorer and the outfield player with the most England caps at 120.
Pickford recently set the record for the most consecutive clean sheets by an England goalkeeper, and Rooney believes he is on track to become the nation's best ever in that position.
As they meet, the hope of ending England men's 60-year wait for a major trophy this summer is a key topic. One will participate in the World Cup as the undisputed number one goalkeeper, the other as a pundit.
"We need something as a nation to win," says Pickford, 32. "Any England ex-player... I don't think they'll ever be jealous. Everybody needs it, it's only going to push the England badge forward. It's football, it's going to make it grow.
"We would be legends for life. When you've been so close it does hurt, but it's got to drive you. We've been so close to winning something for England, so we can take that leadership on and that experience on to bring it all together.
"We know what it takes to get there and the commitment and dedication you need as a group of lads to get there. It's about getting over that final hurdle."
How Pickford Made an Instant Impression on Rooney
Pickford has earned 82 caps for England since his debut in a 0-0 draw against Germany in November 2017.
He was first called up to the national squad 13 months earlier as a late replacement for a World Cup qualifier in Slovenia. At 22, he made an immediate impression on Rooney by sitting next to him.
"The first time I met you was when you were in the England squad," Rooney recalls. "I always remember being sat there and you got on the bus for the first time, and you came and sat next to me.
"I remember thinking, 'what's he like?' And I couldn't wait to get on the training pitch and try and dink you or something."
Pickford says: "Every seat was taken because I came late, I got called up late. I was more nervous when you said to me: 'Are you ready for the [induction] song later?'
"I watched you growing up and when I was watching you in the Euros and getting in an England squad, everyone looked up to you. So even then [on the bus] I was texting saying: 'I'm opposite Wazza.' I was shaking.
"I was on the bench and it was a great experience. My dream was to play for England. We know there's only that small percentage of kids growing up get that opportunity.
"When I came to Everton I knew I had to do well and I knew England was there for me because I went from under-16s to 20s all the way through 21s in the pathway.
"I got my opportunity against Germany at Wembley."
Pickford has played in every England match during the last four major tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 European Championship, the 2022 World Cup, and Euro 2024.
During this period, England reached two European finals, a World Cup semi-final, and a quarter-final.
Assuming fitness, Pickford is assured a starting position at this summer's tournament in North America but remains focused on continual improvement.
"I think, 'I've got to keep improving' and that's why I've sustained it for so long," he says.
"I've never just been happy about being number one, it's like 'how can I be number one for that amount of years', then hitting targets... 2026 World Cup is a target.
"I want to keep improving and keep pushing myself... pushing boundaries when I'm out there to improve on the training pitch, to keep going as long as I can."
'I Love Being at Everton'
Pickford and Rooney shared the pitch for Everton during the 2017-18 season.
A few months before his England debut in 2017, Pickford transferred to Everton from Sunderland for an initial £25 million.
Later that summer, Rooney, who had departed Everton in 2004 after winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United, returned to Goodison Park.
"There was a price tag on me when I was being bought - the most expensive British keeper - so there was that pressure," Pickford tells Rooney. "I've always enjoyed the pressure and I knew I had to do something early to get the fans behind me.
"In your first game we won 1-0 and you scored the header and I made a decent save in my first home Premier League game at Goodison, so I set myself off on a good stall."
Rooney was immediately impressed by Pickford's performances.
"At the time I thought, 'this could be Everton and England's number one goalkeeper for a long time'," he says.
Nine years on, Pickford holds that status and signed a new contract in October to remain with Everton until 2029.
However, since his arrival, Everton have not finished higher than eighth in the Premier League and face the prospect of missing European football for an eighth consecutive season.
During the interview, Rooney questions Pickford about his decision to stay at Everton.
"I don't agree, but a lot of people say 'why haven't you moved on from Everton?'" Rooney says.
"For you to be so loyal, to what you have been to the club, it's quite rare these days.
"With your ability, you can say: 'Well, do you want to go and play Champions League?' But you've stuck with Everton. Why is it?"
Pickford, a three-time fans' Player of the Year in the past four seasons, responds:
"We've just got that that bond really... you know what it's like here, the people.
"The gaffer [David Moyes] calls it the 'People's Club'. The staff are brilliant and it's where we live and go to the games. We just love it, my family love it.
"We know Everton should be in the European spots, but we know how hard it's been over the last few years and a rollercoaster we've been on, but they've been nothing but good to me.
"They took a chance on me as a 22-year-old kid and, I've repaid them, and I just love being here. Goodison, great memories, and the new stadium, it is moving forward.
"When you came back, when I first signed, we were in the Europa League. So if we sustained that, those questions wouldn't happen: 'Why is England's number one at Everton?' But people don't realise how such a big club Everton is.
"Everton's been too far away from silverware and we've not won anything for so long - that's what we need back."
A World Cup Waiting Game for Pickford's Family
Pickford was instrumental in England's first World Cup penalty shootout victory, saving a penalty from Colombia's Carlos Bacca in the last 16 of the 2018 tournament.
Everton will play their final home game of the season on Sunday against Pickford's former club Sunderland before concluding the campaign at relegation-threatened Tottenham.
Following the season's end, England will travel to North America, where they are grouped with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama for the World Cup.
"I can't wait, it's some experience," Pickford says.
"My mum, she'll text me saying, 'text us when you've got that text that you're being called up' and then she'll always say 'well done' when she sees it announced on social media.
"My focus is finishing this season strong, two solid performances, have a little break, then get into it. It's going to be a different experience, just thinking about all the travelling and the heat.
"There's no more pressure than being the England number one in a major tournament. The biggest thing is I'm a passionate lad... everyone might think I'm too passionate, but that brings the best out of me.
"I'm a fan. I've grown up watching Euros and World Cups. I've been around barbecues, been in the pubs watching as a young lad, and there's nothing better than having that opportunity to play in them.
"Not once in all the tournaments will I pack my bag because I know we're going to win. I've got that mentality that we're going to win and going to go so far."
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC or listen on .
