'I've played with James Trafford & Jordan Pickford - Leeds United star is providing real England competition'

Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin believes England should appreciate having two top quality goalkeepers competing for minutes - both of whom he’s played alongside.

Calvert-Lewin’s Leeds teammate James Trafford is now providing serious competition for the No.1 shirt for the first time in almost a decade. Everton’s Jordan Pickford has been undisputed first-choice virtually since his 2017 debut and remains a top operator.

But at 32, Pickford is edging towards the twilight of his career while Trafford, eight years younger, has a bright future ahead. The two are now being pitted against one another by fans and pundits but Calvert-Lewin insists both should be appreciated.

“I think we're fortunate now that we've got two exceptional goalkeepers,” he said. “One thing that is true for both of them is they're very self-confident and confident in their ability, which is what I think you need from England's number one.

“I played with Pickers for nine years at Everton, so I've seen him grow and what a career he's had for England. I don't think that can be so quickly disregarded at all.

“But now I'm playing with James Trafford, who is a younger, confident, top, top goalkeeper, and I'm seeing his quality week in, week out now. I think it's something that should be appreciated by us as a nation.

“We're very quick to kind of pit players against each other when there's all of a sudden competition for places, but instead of appreciating the fact that we've got strength in depth, and strength in depth is what you need in order to win tournaments.”

Trafford will hope to get another chance to show his quality during the international break, with England hosting Croatia on Thursday before a trip to Spain on Sunday. During the last four-game schedule, he and Pickford played two matches each and a similar split could happen again.

Since returning from the extended break earlier this season, Trafford has continued to win Leeds crucial points with two clean sheets against Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Calvert-Lewin now has a fresh appreciation for the young shot-stopper.

“When he has played, he's been top, and he's continued that coming to Leeds,” the Whites striker said of his teammate. “I think he's been a fantastic addition for us and exactly what we needed.

“You just get that feeling when you see someone up close, and I see him on a matchday. He's got all the qualities that are needed to be a top, top goalie for me.”