Gareth Southgate claims he talked Man City’s Kyle Walker out of retirement TWICE, says ‘he’s critical to England’

Walker scored his first goal for England against Ukraine.

Gareth Southgate claims he talked Man City’s Kyle Walker out of retirement TWICE, says ‘he’s critical to England’

Gareth Southgate and Kyle Walker (Via the Guardian)

England Boss Gareth Southgate revealed a surprising incident that happened with star player Kyle Walker. Following the disappointing draw against Ukraine on Saturday, English right-back Kyle Walker made headlines after scoring his first goal for the Three Lions in his International Career.

The English Coach recently revealed that he had to talk Kyle Walker out of retirement, not once, but two times! Southgate said, “I talked him out of retirement from international football twice.” There was speculation regarding Walker’s International Career after the 2018 World Cup when he was dropped in 2019, along with the rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James further putting his position in doubt.

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Walker said that his relationship with Southgate is good both on and off the field and that he still feels he has a lot to offer the team. “I am doing good. So why stop,” said the player when talking about his future. Southgate also heaped praise on the player, saying that he has become a world-class player in his position.

Teammate Jordan Pickford also believes that the 33-year-old is the best in his position. Walker has excelled against speedy wingers like Mbappe and Mykhaylo Mudryk recently against Ukraine. Walker scored his first goal for England on his 77th appearance when the right-back got on the end of a spectacular long pass from Captain Harry Kane before controlling it and placing it past Heorhiy Bushchan.

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England held to a draw against Ukraine

Kyle Walker scoring vs Ukraine
Kyle Walker scoring vs Ukraine (Via The Independent)

Amidst rumors that Gareth Southgate is set to leave England after the 2024 Euros, the English have failed to impress yet again as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Ukraine. With qualification for the 2024 Euros all but confirmed, England was not at their best against the side led by Andriy Yarmolenko.

Ukraine took the lead through former Arsenal player Oleksandr Zinchenko. But England restored parity through an unlikely source in Kyle Walker. The defender got on the end of a pinpoint long ball from captain Harry Kane in the 41st minute. He beautifully controlled the pass before taking a touch and placing it past Ukraine keeper Heorhiy Bushchan.

England came close to taking the lead when Bukayo Saka‘s shot ricocheted off the crossbar. Ukraine managed to hold on to the goal and managed to grab an important point in their journey to Euro 2024. England remain top of Group C with 13 points in 5 games. Ukraine is right behind with 7 in 4 games.

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