Euro 2020: Jose Mourinho picks Kyle Walker as his Player of the Tournament

Jose Mourinho praised Kyle Walker’s spectacular efforts at Euro 2020, crowning him as his player of the tournament. While Gareth Southgate’s team fell short in the competition, the team has been lauded for their outstanding performance, which follows their semi-final appearance in the 2018 World Cup. There were many standout performances from England players, but Mourinho singled out Manchester City defender Walker as not just the finest of the bunch from the Three Lions, but also the finest overall at the competition.

Walker appeared in nearly every minute of England’s march to the finals and was particularly brilliant at right-back and in central defense. He featured in six of England’s seven games, except for the 0-0 draw with Scotland in the group phase.

UEFA selected Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the best player of the Euro 2020 following his two penalty stops against England in the finale which helped his country win the crown.

Mourinho agreed with the decision but added that, aside from Donnarumma’s penalty exploits, Walker was the man who amazed him utmost.

Kyle Walker is an absolute animal: Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho described Kyle Walker’s performance as phenomenal and hailed him for his contributions to England. Walker was a standout on the right side of England’s defense, whether playing in a three-man or four-man defense.

“My player of the tournament was Kyle Walker. From the first minute of the competition until the moment he came off in the final he was phenomenal. He was giving cover to center-backs on the opposite side. I don’t remember him losing one single duel. He didn’t go forward as much as he does in the club because of a strategy point of view,” said Mourinho.

Mourinho also termed Walker as an absolute animal which he believes is the highest compliment he can give.

“When I call a player an animal it is the best compliment I can do to a player. Kyle Walker – an absolute animal. For me, phenomenal. From the first to the last minute he was in that element,” added Mourinho.

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