38 Friday Sports Friday, July 2, 2021 Pickford silences critics as England goalkeeper stars at Euro 2020

LONDON: England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford questioned after he was involved in a street has silenced his critics at Euro 2020, proving an brawl when his fiancee was abused during a impressive last line of defense for a side yet to night out in his hometown of Sunderland in concede a goal as they prepare for a quarter- 2019. When Burnley’s started all final against Ukraine. three World Cup qualifiers in March, it seemed England’s first success against the Germans Pickford might struggle to regain his England in a knockout match for 55 years was secured place as he battled with an abdominal muscle by late goals from and Harry injury. Kane at Wembley on Tuesday. But it was the But he finished the season in better form and much-maligned Pickford who laid the founda- Pope was eventually ruled out of the European tion for the 2-0 win that secured a last-eight Championship due to injury. With England boss clash in Rome tomorrow. The 27-year-old saved repeatedly expressing confi- Timo Werner’s first-half effort by taking up the dence in Pickford as his number one, the Ever- perfect position to block his shot, then acrobat- ton star has erased his careless mistakes. ically tipped over Kai Havertz’s fierce strike “The goalkeeping number one spot for Eng- soon after the interval. land is the most scrutinized position in world And with England holding onto a one-goal football,” said England defender . lead, Pickford came off his line and narrowed “We have a magnificent ‘keeper behind us. the angle just enough to distract Thomas Every time he has put on the shirt for England Mueller as the German missed a golden oppor- he has been magnificent.” tunity to equalize. “I train hard all week to be the best I can be when called upon,” said Pick- ‘More confident’ ford. “I thought I made two good saves. I felt I Pickford has been immaculate so far in the was in the moment. The atmosphere... was tournament, keeping four successive clean LONDON: England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford punches the ball clear during the Euro 2020 round of 16 football amazing. That just gives us the desire on Satur- sheets to repay Southgate’s faith and underline match between England and Germany at in London on Tuesday. —AFP day. It is another opportunity. We will be pre- his reputation as a big-game player. He was pared for what they put up against us.” England’s hero at the 2018 World Cup when his Drmic’s penalty. dent, he controls situations.” Pickford’s heroics were a cathartic moment save from ’s penalty helped win a His erratic club form has seemingly not Loudly berating England defenders when for the ‘keeper, who has been under pressure last-16 shoot-out against Colombia. dented his confidence and his demonstrative they have not met his expectations, Pickford over the past year because of a series of costly Not only did Pickford play a key role in Eng- personality has made him one of England’s sets his standards high. “Keep working hard and blunders for Everton. , then in land ending their shoot-out jinx, he also starred leaders at the Euro. “I like Pickford because of just doing everything right, not cutting corners, charge of Everton, warned he must improve and when they defeated Switzerland on penalties in his composure,” former England defender Rio giving myself the opportunity when it comes to dropped him for a match the 2019 Nations League third-place play-off. Ferdinand said. “That’s something that has been match day to be fully prepared, fully focused,” against Newcastle in November. Pickford fired past Yann Sommer to score one a criticism in an Everton shirt but in an England he said. “Just being the best Jordan Pickford I Pickford’s judgment off the field was also of England’s spot-kicks before saving Josip shirt this fella seems to grow. He’s more confi- can be — that’s all I can do.” —AFP

the Premier League club have been in protracted Dortmund agree negotiations since the end of the season in a bid to tie up the transfer. level reserved for a Reds boss ever since his “small club” United’s initial £67 million offer was rejected Benitez appointed jibe after a 2007 . Sancho transfer but they improved the bid sufficiently to convince Benitez has since sought to clarify he was referring Dortmund to sell, albeit at a lower price than they to what he believed was a “small-team” mentality from wanted 12 months ago due to the financial fall- Everton boss Everton in the game rather than as a club. On Monday, to Man Utd out from the coronavirus pandemic. police confirmed they were investigating the placing of Sancho’s contract with Dortmund had been despite fan protests a “threatening” banner with the words “We know where BERLIN: Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund due to run to June 30, 2023 and his transfer is one you live. Don’t sign” hung over a garden wall close to confirmed yesterday that they have agreed a deal of the most expensive in Bundesliga history. The LONDON: Everton confirmed the appointment of Benitez’s home, which is near Liverpool. to allow England winger to join 100-million-euro mark had been smashed by the Rafael Benitez as their new manager on Wednesday de- Offensive banners have previously been put up at the Manchester United for a fee of 85 million euros 2017 transfer of French forward Ousmane Dem- ($100 million, £73 million). In a statement, Dort- bele from Dortmund to Barcelona for 105 million spite fan protests against the Premier League club’s stadium. Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, mund said they had reached an agreement for the euros. Attacking Kai Havertz was move for the former Liverpool boss. Benitez has agreed ignored the dissenting voices to pursue “proven winner” a three-year contract with Everton and succeeds Carlo English club to pay a “fixed transfer fee of 85 mil- transferred last summer for 80 million euros from Benitez, who won the Champions League and FA Cup Ancelotti, who left Goodison Park to join Real Madrid lion euros” for the 21-year-old. Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea. It will be a return at the start of June. The Spaniard is the first man to man- during his six-year Liverpool reign, which ended in 2010. “The contractual details now have to be co- to Manchester for the 21-year-old, who was a age both Merseyside teams since William Edward Bar- “Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and ex- ordinated and completed,” Dortmund said in graduate of Manchester City’s academy before clay in the 1890s. “I am delighted to be joining Everton,” perience but, above all, the passion and hunger he their statement. “Moreover, the formal processing joining Dortmund in search of regular first-team said Benitez. “Throughout this process I have been showed to join our club,” Moshiri said. “We are appoint- of the transfer is still subject to the successful action in 2017. Even though Sancho never played greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior ing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our completion of all necessary medical tests and ex- a first-team game for them, City will be due aminations.” Dortmund did not give details on the around £10 million of the fee as a result of a 15 representatives at the club and their desire to bring suc- club and to Evertonians.” Former Wolves boss Nuno Es- length of the contract, but reports have said it percent sell-on clause they had inserted in the cess to this historic club. “I believe this is a club that is pirito Santo was the early favourite to join Everton but going places. I’m determined to play a big part in help- would last five years. Sancho will become the deal when he left the Etihad Stadium. he is now reported to be Tottenham’s latest choice in ing this great club achieve its ambitions.” second most expensive English footballer when Sancho made 137 appearances in all compe- Benitez’s appointment will antagonize a significant their prolonged managerial search. Instead, it is Benitez he joins United, who signed Harry Maguire two titions for Dortmund, scoring 50 goals as he es- section of Everton’s fan base after he criticized the Tof- who will run the gauntlet at Everton, with his first Pre- years ago from Leicester for £80 million. tablished himself as one of Europe’s brightest fees during his time at Liverpool. Everton supporters’ mier League match in charge coming at home to United have been keen to bring Sancho to young stars. He scored twice in the German Cup animosity towards Benitez was raised above the usual Southampton on August 14. —AFP Old Trafford since last year. After failing to meet final to inspire Dortmund to a 4-1 victory over Dortmund’s £100 million asking price last year, RB Leipzig in May.—AFP