Gareth Southgate reveals he has brought Kyle Walker out of retirement TWICE as England boss says Man City defender is ‘crucial’ for the team
- Kyle Walker has established himself as a key player for England
- The Manchester City star has 77 caps to his name since his debut in 2011
- Gareth Southgate says he has thought twice about international retirement
Gareth Southgate has revealed he had to convince Kyle Walker not to retire twice.
Walker, who scored his first goal for the national team in the 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday, has developed into a key player for England during Southgate’s seven-year reign.
He played an integral role, alongside Harry Maguire and John Stones, as one of England’s three starting centre-backs at the 2018 World Cup before largely returning to his favored right-back position for the 2020 Euros and last year’s World Cup.
The Manchester City star, who has 77 caps since his debut in 2011, is widely recognized as one of the best players in his position in world football.
However, Southgate has revealed that England almost lost Walker’s services on more than one occasion.
Gareth Southgate (R) has revealed he had to convince Kyle Walker (L) twice not to retire
“I persuaded him twice to retire from international football,” said the England manager. ‘After the European Championship (in 2020) and after the World Cup (last year). I think he loves being here and he wanted to continue and now he is thinking about how many caps he can get.
‘He is crucial for us. If we talk about world-class players in their position in our team, he is probably one of them.
“He didn’t realize how much value we have to him and how important he is to us.”
Following the 2018 World Cup, there were major doubts over Walker’s international future and he was dropped from the England squad in August 2019. The emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool and Chelsea’s Reece James, as well as the consistent performances of Kieran Trippier, added further uncertainty to Walker’s prospects in England.
“Obviously at the time me and Gareth spoke people like Trent, Tripps and Reece James came along – you really think your days are numbered,” Walker admitted. “And to sacrifice how many holidays and summers I’ve sacrificed… I’ve been doing this since I was 19 when I joined the senior team. I’m 33 now.
The Manchester City star has scored 77 caps since his debut in 2011
“Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field. We do speak to each other and I have the feeling that I can add something to the team. So why stop?’
Southgate certainly sees it that way too. The England boss added: “He has (got better with age). It doesn’t always happen. It’s not just about the playing, but also about the training, the way I hear him speak when he’s interviewed, his influence on the group, he’s become a very mature leader for us.
‘His all-round game: he has great composure in a position where you don’t always find it. Our senior players were important and he was the choice against Ukraine.
‘He has enormous experience in winning big matches. I took him aside for two or three days during training this week because his focus was very clear, the way he organized himself on the field. He enjoys the extra responsibility he has been given at his club and I know he is willing to embrace it with us as well.”
Walker’s international teammate Jordan Pickford believes the right-back is the best player in his position. When asked if Walker is underrated, the Everton goalkeeper’s response was emphatic: ‘They should (appreciate him). He is the best right back in the world.
“His pace against Mykhailo Mudryk (against Ukraine), who is absolutely fast; matches against Kylian Mbappe – also his defensive play. He has a lot of experience now and at City he has won the titles he has won and everything he has done in his career. He helps us as players.”