Whether it was weighted more as a test for the No1 or an opportunity for the understudy, Jordan Pickford used the decision to throw James Trafford England's gloves as a learning experience.

It's not often that Pickford sits watching on – the Everton goalkeeper smiled as he reminded us of that fact – but he seemed to gain something from the defeat against Spain and win over Czech Republic.

Pickford talked about putting himself in Trafford's shoes, visualising what he might do in certain situations. Staying present, still being in the game. It was a thoughtful way of approaching his unusual first half of this international break, after being delivered the news of the split duties by Tuchel the night before Spain, representing 'new competition'.

There appears to be a big reason for that calm, even-headed approach. The 32-year-old spent three hours in his hotel room on a Zoom call with a mind coach on Thursday evening – a practice he undergoes every single week.

Three hours? 'Yeah grafting,' Pickford said. 'It's work. It's working. It's breaking that ceiling to that next level and I'll put the work in. People might not see it, but I put a lot of work in myself.

'We just go through everything. How I'm feeling, where we can improve, my breath work and stuff. There's loads. Day-to-day life as well. Loads.'

He's seen this psychologist for over a year and doesn't do it remotely when back at home in Cheshire. In Croatia, it was seen as important to continue the work.

'The first chapter was to gear up for the World Cup and be the best version of me. Pushing through now, it's the next chapter.

'I find it really useful. We just spoke about criticism and I can only vouch for myself… it works for me.'

The criticism Pickford referenced is the technical opinions on Enzo Fernandez's equaliser for Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. He's watched it back, discussed in detail with goalkeeping coach Hilario and Everton's David Lucas. Out the other side, he is clear about the moment.

'If I stood, for example, three yards to the right and Fernandez passes it in low left, you're going to get questioned no matter what, aren't you?' he said.

'The balls were moving fast over there. So they come at you a lot quicker. It's one of them where everyone will judge. In that moment, you know yourself if you could have done better or not. I went after the ball and I didn't get it.

'There's always going to be people asking the questions but I think if you're not a goalkeeping expert then you won't know what you're talking about. There's no drama, it's part of life now.'

Tuchel later said that starting from Saturday, in Rijeka in front of thousands of schoolchildren owing to sanctions on Croatian supporters, it is time for Pickford to 'fight back'. He is still backing him as No1 'at the moment'.

Pickford exudes the confidence of somebody who's very much in control of the jersey and is expectantly ticking off each cap until he reaches a century. Only seven more to go after this break.

Yet this does feel like an intriguing juncture with England and their keepers. Pickford will be 34 at the European Championship and, even with the continued quest for mindful betterment, will likely struggle to continue long enough to make the next World Cup at the same level he has displayed for so many years.

It is only natural that Tuchel wanted a proper, competitive look at Trafford, whose move to Leeds United from Manchester City has so far gone swimmingly. To take a measurement on any improvement in recent months and whether he is now ready to push.

Ask Trafford and he will absolutely say that he is in that position. Like Pickford before him, the Cumbrian has the attitude of demanding that his ability is recognised. He knows his worth. When in City's academy, and beginning to make waves with England's Under 21s, Trafford claimed that he was already good enough to be a regular in the Champions League. And that it was only Ederson blocking his path.

That sort of self-assurance will impress Pickford, although the stalwart – one now creeping towards veteran status – is in no mood to give up the shirt just yet.

'It's been fine by me,' Pickford said. 'It was like, "Right, now it's time I need to go again".'