What Everton’s Jordan Pickford had written on his water bottle ahead of England penalty shoot-out win vs Switzerland

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Everton have had little to get excited about in the last few years, with focus dominated by the survival of their own football club.

It was hard to get caught up in alternative success, particularly England’s, because things on Merseyside were so unsettled.

However, ironically enough throughout a summer where the Toffees have seemingly been quietly forging a squad capable of challenging once again, interest in the national team has arguably waned even more.

Whether that be due to the torrid performances of Gareth Southgate’s side or something else entirely, Euro 2024 does not quite command the same sparkle and support that previous competitions did.

That being said, Jordan Pickford remains a huge source of pride for Evertonians.

The penalty instructions Jordan Pickford had on his water bottle

As is often the case with penalty triumphs, people are always desperate to delve into the psychology of what is such a mentally-tasking part of football.

It does not happen often, but when it does this team sport becomes one of individuals, and whether that specific player has it within them to triumph from just 12 yards with all the pressure on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, for goalkeepers, the pressure is almost lifted.

With an expected goals figure of 0.78, those in between the sticks supposedly have just a 22% chance of saving a penalty.

That makes Pickford’s record all the more impressive, having saved four of the 14 he has faced under Gareth Southgate, as he did so just yesterday.

And, as Fabrizio Romano has since Tweeted, it is understandable why.

After all, he revealed the water bottle that has once again helped the Everton star thrive in this situation, with it detailing every Swiss player’s penalty preference.

From which side they favour to whether to hold, fake or dive high or low, it was pretty comprehensive for such a normal-sized water bottle.

However, this extra bit of effort certainly paid dividends and now, just a week after Jude Bellingham said it all with his reaction to Pickford after their narrow win over Slovakia, has has once again commanded such acclaim with his heroics to bypass Switzerland.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford saves England again

Whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold will naturally steal the headlines, as the man who fired home from the spot to actually confirm England’s win, they once again could not have done it without Pickford.

It’s quite unbelievable just how great the legacy this 30-year-old will leave behind for his country, having grown into one of the team’s most dependable assets in recent memory.

Having endured unrest and long, arduous seasons back at Goodison Park, this refreshing alteration, to play with some of the best players in the world, marks a stern test of the former Sunderland man.

And yet, he takes to it with so much ease, and actually raises his level to beyond that of his superstar compatriots.

Against Italy in Euro 2020 he was a few scored penalties away from being a legend. Against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup he ended England’s hoodoo in a shootout after so many years. Against Switzerland prior to yesterday’s meeting, he actually saved and scored to cement success in the 2019 Nations League.

This is but another feather in his cap.