England legend Gordon Banks believes Jack Butland has a real chance of becoming the Three Lions No1 goalkeeper.
The Stoke City keeper has been in eye-catching form this season and become a regular in Roy Hodgson’s squad having previously represented England at every level from U16s to Under-21s.
And Banks, who also made his name with the Potters before going on to win the World Cup with England in 1966, has been impressed with the maturity shown by Butland who was also named as U21s player of the year for 2015 earlier this week.
Jack Butland has been one of Stoke's best performers so far this season
"He’s done really, really well and I can’t believe how quickly he’s coming through, I really can’t," said Banks, speaking after the announcement of two ’66 World Cup exhibitions to commemorate England’s victory 50 years ago.
"He was playing for the Under-21s last season and all of a sudden he’s playing for Stoke and as soon as I saw him, I thought, this lad’s going to be challenging."
Banks says he sees parallels between himself and Butland from his early career, when he was with Chesterfield and Leicester City prior to his switch to Stoke City in 1967.
Bristol-born Butland began his professional career with Birmingham City before moving to the Britannia Stadium in 2013 and then gaining more experience with loan spells at Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County.
"I met him for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I said to him: ‘Jack, to be honest, watching you play and how well you’re doing, you must be doing what I did and getting a lot of practice with a lot of shooting at you," said Banks.
"And he said that was exactly what he was doing and how much he was enjoying it."
With the Euro 2016 Finals taking place in France this summer, the battle is already on for places in Hodgson’s squad.
And Banks expects Butland to push Manchester City stopper and current England number one Joe Hart all the way over the rest of the season and in the build-up to the Euros.
“He's put pressure on Joe Hart without any question”
Gordon Banks England goalkeeping legend
"He’s put the pressure on Joe Hart without any question," added Banks.
"It’s definitely pretty close between him and Joe now and I was a tiny bit disappointed that Jack didn’t play once we’d got through to the Finals.
"That would have given him that little bit of experience which you need but it’s wonderful to see him doing so well."
#3Lions legend and @66Winners Gordon Banks believes @StokeCity's @JackButland_One will challenge for @UEFAEURO spot. https://t.co/CvbJFfMu3D
— England (@england) January 6, 2016
Banks was appearing at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington for the launch courtesy of 66winners.com.
