Jordan Pickford set for England return against Croatia as James Trafford presses for No 1 spot

Jordan Pickford is set to start for England against Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday, 3 October, after James Trafford played the first two Nations League matches of this window. The return puts Pickford back in goal for a consequential group game while giving him a chance to answer growing competition for a place he has held since before the 2018 World Cup.

The Guardian and The Independent both reported the planned change. The Independent said Pickford is also due to play England’s following game against Czechia. Trafford started against Spain and Czechia as Thomas Tuchel divided the games between his goalkeepers; according to The Guardian, Tuchel wanted to test Trafford against elite opposition and has said Pickford has done nothing wrong.

Why Pickford faces competition from Trafford

Pickford’s time on the bench has been unusual. He has been England’s first-choice goalkeeper since before the 2018 World Cup, The Independent reported. The Guardian counted 91 caps and 47 clean sheets before this window and said the Croatia game would bring his 92nd appearance. Those figures show how firmly established he is, even as Tuchel gives another goalkeeper substantial playing time.

Trafford’s opportunity began against Spain, when England lost 3–2 in their Nations League opener. The Guardian reported that he made two saves during Spain’s early pressure, including a one-on-one stop against Ferran Torres. He then started against Czechia. The selection allowed Tuchel to see him in two different fixtures before Pickford’s scheduled return.

NewsJaws previously reported on Trafford’s England start against Spain. The change since that match is that he has now played the Czechia game too, and Pickford is due back for the Croatia fixture.

What Pickford has said about losing starts

Pickford has acknowledged the unusual spell out of the side without presenting it as a break with Tuchel. He told The Independent that the manager had explained his reasons and said he had tried to train well, support Trafford and remain a good teammate. ‘I love playing but if I’m watching, I just want the best for England and that’s to win,’ he said.

The Everton goalkeeper, 32, also made clear that he expects to keep improving. ‘I’m not slowing down, I think I’m only getting better,’ he told The Independent. His response matters because the goalkeeper competition has become visible through selection, while Tuchel has not announced any permanent change to the No 1 position.

The Guardian has questioned aspects of Pickford’s performances at the World Cup, citing goals conceded against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Argentina, while also noting a strong display against Mexico. Pickford gave his own account of the Argentina goal, saying bodies in front of him affected his view of Enzo Fernández’s shot. Those assessments are part of the debate around the position, rather than a ruling on any single goalkeeper’s future.

What England face against Croatia in Rijeka

The Croatia match carries weight beyond the goalkeeper choice. The Guardian reported that England were second behind Spain in their Nations League group and that the result would affect their prospects of reaching next year’s finals. Croatia have Luka Modric available, and Slaven Bilic has returned as their manager. Pickford’s expected start comes in a fixture with a direct bearing on England’s campaign.

Tuchel told England Football on Friday that he expected ‘a very difficult game’ against a Croatian side with experience and emerging players. He said the squad had trained at HNK Rijeka’s stadium, with everyone except Nico O’Reilly taking part; O’Reilly had left camp for treatment. Tuchel also warned that the attractive setting could not distract England from what he called a ‘crucial game in the Nations League.’

The setting will be unusual. England Football said the match is being held behind closed doors because of a UEFA punishment for crowd behaviour at a Croatia home game against France last year, while local children and a small number of England supporters may attend. The Guardian reported an expectation of about 100 England fans and 5,000 to 6,000 children; those are estimates before the match, not confirmed attendance.

For Pickford, a start would restore him to the team for this game. It would not establish who starts England’s later matches beyond the reported plan for Czechia. Trafford’s two starts have shown that Tuchel is prepared to use the alternative, and Saturday’s performance will give the manager another piece of evidence in a selection contest that remains open.