England captain Harry Kane putting Euro 2020 glory ahead of Golden Boot, says Jordan Pickford

Spot on: Harry Kane scores a penalty against the Czech Republic
Getty Images

Jordan Pickford believes Harry Kane would sacrifice winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 in exchange for England ending their 54-year wait for a major trophy.

After reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup last year, Gareth Southgate’s side are eager to go all the way at the Euros, particularly as both the semi-finals and final are scheduled to be played at ¬Wembley.

Central to England’s success will be the form of captain Kane, who was top scorer at last year’s World Cup in Russia with six goals.

“With the qualities he has got up front, Harry is one of the best strikers in the world,” said Pickford, ahead of Saturday’s home match against Bulgaria.

“He is a proven goalscorer. So, as long as the lads provide the service for him, he will have the opportunity to score goals. Harry only needs that half a chance and he has got it in him to get goals.

“But I think Harry would prefer for us to win the tournament as a team and is not concerned too much about the Golden Boot. But if we win it, it might come with Harry winning the Golden Boot.”

Alongside Tottenham striker Kane, England are building a formidable forward line that boasts the likes of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. Both have started the season in fine form, with Sterling finding the net six times in all competitions and Sancho scoring three in four Bundesliga games.

Manager Southgate has further ¬attacking options in the shape of ¬Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and youngsters such as Mason Mount and James Maddison.

When asked if this was the best attacking unit he has seen in his time with England, Everton keeper ¬Pickford (left) said: “You would have thought so, with the amount of ¬talent we have got out there. It’s quality.

“You’ve got Raheem — who is one of the best attacking players in the world — you’ve got Jadon, who is an unbelievable talent and he shows it every time he comes away, and you’ve also got Harry.

“It is hard for us as goalkeepers, but that makes us better because you are facing that talent every time you come away with England. Every day is a test for England keepers to become better.”

England’s forwards may be keeping Pickford on his toes in training, but in the Premier League it is the growth of ¬talented English goalkeepers.

In Pictures | Fifa World Cup Golden Boot Winners

Tunisia v England - FIFA World Cup 2018 - Group G - Volgograd Arena
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The position has been a problem area for England in the past, but now the likes of Angus Gunn, Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale are all ¬pushing to be in the squad in place of Pickford, Nick Pope and Tom Heaton.

“It’s brilliant,” said Pickford. “I think there are six [English goalkeepers] currently playing in the Premier League week in, week out.

“I don’t know when that happened last. It just shows that we are all training hard every day to become the best we can.

“It is brilliant for competition and it just makes me strive to be better and better each time I play, whether that’s in a game or in training.

“As long as I am giving 100 per cent in training, it makes the game easier. Competition always makes you ¬better.”

Brilliant competition: Pickford has welcomed the strength of England's goalkeepers
PA

The swell of talented goalkeepers has coincided with young English players, such as Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and Mount, making flying starts to the season and Pickford is convinced Southgate’s task of picking a 23-man squad is only going to get tougher.

“I think it makes the gaffer’s job a bit harder because there’s that many ¬players doing well that could be selected for England,” he said. “It’s great to see the likes of young Mason and Madders doing what they’ve been doing. It is a relatively young squad but we are all mature in our own ways.”

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