Kyle Walker will be vital to England’s World Cup campaign, hints Southgate

13-Jun-2022 21:30:27 | Guardian

Manager praises maturity and leadership of right-back
‘He doesn’t have to be really vocal but it’s his determination’

Gareth Southgate has dropped a strong hint that Kyle Walker will be fundamental to England’s World Cup campaign, praising the Manchester City defender’s leadership qualities and emphasising his influence.

Walker has 67 caps and, at 32, is perhaps nearing the winter of his international career. He can operate on the right of a defensive three but faces competition from Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier at right-back if Southgate goes with his preference of a back four in Qatar. The manager was asked about leaders within his squad and, unprompted, spoke of Walker in terms that suggested he will be hard to dislodge from any starting XI.