Everton goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly has opened up about shot stopper Jordan Pickford.

The England no.1 has come in for a lot of scrutiny over the past couple of seasons.

Pickford's performances have been under a microscope as a result of being his nation and club's no.1.

On Pickford, Kelly told the Liverpool Echo: “I've never known anyone deal with as much scrutiny as he does. Over the five years I've worked with him, he's got all of his England caps while with Everton and I've seen a transformation from a younger goalkeeper coming into a big club and making his mark, bonding with the fans to England's number one.

“I've seen those stages with him, establishing himself as first choice with Everton and then England and when you're at the top, the hard work with the training and the preparation has to be of the highest level because when you get to the top, everyone is trying to knock you off that pedestal so it becomes even harder when you acquire that status. I think the way Jordan deals with that and the way in which he operates within our group is fantastic.

“It doesn't matter if you're England's number one or a keeper from the Under-21s, we have the same ethos and work ethic that we're one and the same."