David Seaman Hails Three Lions Star as 'Just as Essential as Harry Kane'—Injury Is Not an Option!

DAVID SEAMAN has claimed Jordan Pickford is just as important to England as Harry Kane.

And the legendary Three Lions stopper, 62, reckons Pickford’s availability could be vital to whether can finally end 60 years of hurt this summer.

David Seaman has claimed Jordan Pickford is just as important as Harry Kane for England Credit: Getty Seaman thinks Pickford’s fitness is crucial to England’s success at the World Cup Credit: Getty

Seaman, who earned 75 caps for England, worries that Pickford’s backup options, and , lack the experience to handle the pressure of a World Cup.

He told SunSport: “The goalkeepers underneath him have not got a lot of experience. It is a big test when you have to step in, especially in a World Cup.

“We have already seen goalkeepers get injured at this tournament. They had to go off and then the number two came in. So it’s tough, but Jordan is there.

“We just have to keep everything crossed that nothing happens to him. He’s as valuable to us as Harry is to England, there’s no doubt about it.

“He’s a great goalkeeper and Harry’s doing what Harry does, but so is Jordan.”

Seaman played in two World Cups himself and served as the third-choice goalkeeper at Italia 90, so Safe Hands knows a thing or two about handling the pressure of the world stage.

And the former England No1 reckons the pressure is even greater for a goalkeeper, too.

He added: “Sometimes you’ll hit a ball and you’ve got nervous tension in your legs.

Seaman reckons backup goalkeepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford don’t have enough experience on the big stage Credit: Getty

“It won’t go where it is supposed to. Then it’s like, ‘oh, what’s going on?’ But it’s the realisation that it’s the World Cup effect. Playing in the World Cup is the biggest football competition ever.

“I was fortunate to play in two of them. I was involved in Italia 90 as well. Just watching that as a third choice, even then I was nervous. I wasn’t even playing.

“The backups have to be ready in case, but they also need to be there to encourage Jordan and get him ready for whatever he needs.

“You know that all of a sudden someone can get injured, especially a goalkeeper who can damage a finger. That’s my only worry really, is that if Jordan does get injured, the guys that are coming in.

“Obviously Trafford has not got many caps, neither has Henderson. So there’s not a lot of experience there.

“Talent, yes, but experience, no. And then that takes us back to playing with nerves in a World Cup.

“It’s going to be a big test, but touch wood and everything crossed that Jordan stays there as No1.’

Pickford is playing in his fifth major tournament for England, and has become one of the Three Lions’ most reliable players over the last few years.

Pickford has become one of England’s most consistent performers Credit: AP

The goalkeeper has now amassed 86 caps for his country, and was the man between the sticks when the Three Lions ended their penalty curse against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.

For Seaman, Pickford is on the brink of becoming England’s greatest ever goalkeeper, but the retired Arsenal ace thinks he will need to lift the World Cup this summer to cement that title.

Seaman added: “I don’t know about the greatest ever just yet, because obviously you have to compare him with Gordon Banks.

“Gordon Banks is the only England goalkeeper to have won a World Cup. So that’s where the comparison comes from. Until Jordan or England actually win something, then we’ll be able to start talking about that.

“The only regret that I have is that I’ve never won anything with England. I know that the fans are ready for it and trust me, ex-players are ready for it.

“I want to be around for that party when that happens because it’s going to be something really special.”

*David Seaman was speaking exclusively to SunSport as part of a campaign with Motorway, the car-selling platform, where they have come together to launch specially designed driving-gloves for reliable ball and wheel control. Created with Safe Hands’ needs in mind, they are also offering them to fans in a giveaway.