Michael Woud is aiming to one day replicate Jordan Pickford’s achievements following his inaugural senior call-up to the England national squad.
The Washington-born stopper initially joined the academy on a two-year scholarship in 2010 and has since risen through the ranks.
After being given a taste of first-team football last term, Pickford has since established himself as the no.1 ‘keeper following Vito Mannone’s omission through injury.
With a string of encouraging performances under his belt as well, the 22-year-old earned himself a late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s national squad for their World Cup qualifier at Slovenia on Tuesday.
And while Pickford was an unused substitute in the Three Lions goalless stalemate in Ljubljana, Woud, who is a New Zealand youngster, has paid homage to the Pickford for his efforts over the years.
“It is massive because sometimes we train with him and to think only a few years ago he was in my shoes is quite surreal,” he said.
“It makes it real and it makes you realise if you keep our head down, work hard and learn as much as you can maybe one day I could be there as well.
“Obviously not in the England team but maybe at his level. There is a long way to go for myself but to actually see someone come through the academy and achieve that is quite inspiring because it just shows the chances are there if you do everything you can.”
He continued: “Jordan is an unbelievable goalkeeper and I’m always learning off him. The way he holds himself around the academy is first class and he has been rewarded with the call-up which he deserves.”
