Jose Mourinho has expressed concern regarding the form of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.
The Everton shot-stopper has earned plenty of praise throughout the tournament for his role in helping the Three Lions keep five successive clean sheets in the competition.
The 27-year-old has conceded just one goal this tournament - Mikkel Damsgaard’s long-range free-kick in Wednesday’s last four tie against Denmark - was the first and only goal that Pickford has conceded in Euro 2020.
Pickford came in for a degree of criticism for his first half display against the Danes where he was twice caught out playing passes out straight to opposition players.
That caused a degree of instability and uncertainty in England’s defence which were not capitalised upon by their opponents but set the tone for a nervy first half for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Pickford was also questioned for his role in Damsgaard’s goal - he was unable to move across his goal quickly enough to stop the pinpoint effort.
Mourinho explained on talkSPORT on Friday: "He was the only one who showed signs of not being at the top of his game. That urgency of playing immediately.
"The guy has to relax and calm down. Between him and the other keepers and the coaches to try to relax him.
"The biggest thing about a keeper is not to make impossible saves but to not make silly mistakes. Don’t create instability.
"If you feel pressure, don’t try to play out from the back, kick it long. Don’t put your team under pressure."
Mourinho has been appointed at Roma this summer following his dismissal at Tottenham in April and he gave his introductory press conference at the Italian club earlier this week.
The Portuguese defended his record at his previous clubs and displayed all his usual self-confidence ahead of his new job.
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He told reporters: "At my last three clubs I won the Premier League with Chelsea, I won three cups with Manchester United, I made it into the League Cup final with Tottenham.
"We finished 12th the year before and then we came sixth and qualified for the Europa League. What is considered a disaster for me is something that other coaches have never achieved in their lifetimes."
Speaking of his new role, Mourinho explained his excitement about his return to Italian football and the challenge that lay ahead: "There is a fantastic bond between Roma and the city and that brings a lot of responsibility with it and I feel that, but we are not here on holiday, we are here to work.
"The next challenge is always the most important, this is the next challenge so it is the most important.
"We are not going to change things when we are not yet aware of everything we have within the group. It is very important to get to know them."
