Jordan Pickford facing fight to keep his England place with Thomas Tuchel ‘huge admirer of two rival stars’

JORDAN PICKFORD’S seven-year reign as England’s undisputed No1 could be under threat.

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has identified two in-form rivals for the spot.

And both are on a high following dream seasons for their clubs.

The Telegraph say Tuchel is a “huge admirer” of Dean Henderson.

The twice-capped former Manchester United back-up stopper, 28, helped Crystal Palace land their first ever major silverware.

Henderson even saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush as the Eagles beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final last Saturday.

While Tuchel is also reportedly keen to hand ex-Etihad starlet James Trafford his first senior cap.

The 6ft 6in ace, 22, saw his Burnley side storm straight back up to the Premier League with 29 clean sheets.

Trafford was a major reason Scott Parker’s men conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship games.

That’s an average of 0.35 per match – the lowest in EFL history.

Meanwhile, Henderson picked up an impressive stat of his own.

His total of 11 Prem clean sheets has been bettered only by the 13 of both Arsenal’s David Raya and Nottingham Forest ace Matz Sels with one match to go.

However, there was one other stopper with 11 to his name… Everton hero Pickford.

And in fact the Sunderland academy product might have one eye on history as he battles to retain his England starting spot.

Pickford stands equal second with Joe Hart and David Seaman on 75 for the most appearances ever by a Three Lions keeper.

But catching Peter Shilton’s haul of 125 looks unlikely.

All Pickford’s caps have come since 2017.

And he’s been the main man between the sticks since shining in Russia the following year when Gareth Southgate’s men reached the World Cup semi-finals.

Now it’s the verdict of Southgate’s successor, Tuchel, that could decide if Pickford reaches 100 caps.

Before launching his spell in charge with two World Cup qualifying wins, the German insisted he rated Henderson, Trafford and Aaron Ramsdale as on a par with the 31-year-old.

And at the very least, the former Chelsea chief wants Pickford to know there’s a real debate now over his role.

Tuchel will name his next squad on Friday morning for his third and fourth matches.

England visit Espanyol to face Andorra in another qualifier on June 7.

Then comes a home friendly against Senegal at the City Ground three days later.