Sunderland's recent Premier League debutant Jordan Pickford has made clear his intention to follow in England number one Joe Hart's footsteps, by progressing through the ranks and becoming England's number one.
The 21-year old stopper, who made his Sunderland debut in the FA Cup loss to Arsenal a week before his Premier League debut, had spent the first half of the season on loan at Preston North End, where he was one of their star players in the Championship before being recalled this month by Sam Allardyce to provide competition for Costel Pantilimon and Vito Mannone.
"Hart is someone I aspire to be"
Speaking after the 4-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, Pickford stated: "Hart is someone I aspire to be". The Sunderland man has "come through the ranks" in a similar fashion to the Manchester City keeper, who turned out for the England under-19 and under-21 teams before making his senior debut in 2008.
Pickford on the other hand has been a part of the England setup since he was in the under-16's, although he currently plays for the under-21 side alongside Sunderland team-mate Duncan Watmore.
Hart also played in the lower leagues for Shrewsbury Town before his big move to Manchester City, which is not dissimilar to Pickford, who has had loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton, Burton Albion, Carlisle and Bradford City as well as Preston since graduating from the Academy of Light.
Nerves no issue for young keeper
Pickford said that he was only told on the morning of the game that he was being handed his first Premier League appearance, but that he was not fazed by the occasion and did not "feel nerves" before the match. The keeper also said that he remained calm and focused throughout the game, stating: "I just focus on doing my job".
The Sunderland-born player spoke of his delight at earning his first Premier League appearance, saying that it was a "great feeling" to play for the team that he has supported since he was a boy, even if it was "a shame" to concede four in his first league outing.
The debut performance of the young stopper did not go unnoticed, as he won plaudits from fans and pundits in the game alongside his manager Sam Allardyce, who all feel that there is definitely a big future in store for the player.