Walker had heart-to-heart talks with Gareth Southgate who talked him out of retiring from England duty after the Euros in 2021 and after last year’s World Cup
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Gareth Southgate reviews Ukraine game
Kyle Walker has admitted he wanted to quit international football TWICE.
Walker, 33, claimed he feared his “days were numbered” because of England’s strength in depth in the right-back position. That led to Walker having heart-to-heart talks with Gareth Southgate who talked him out of retiring from England duty after the Euros in 2021 and after last year’s World Cup.
Walker claimed that playing for his country every summer was taking its toll after years at the top with Manchester City while England were also blessed with the likes of Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier who are mainstays in the squad.
Walker, who scored his first England goal in his 77th cap against Ukraine, said: “Yeah, I’m playing well. Obviously, in a moment, at the time that me and Gareth spoke, the likes of Trent, Tripps, Reece James coming through … you do think your days are numbered.
“And to sacrifice how many holidays and summers that I’ve sacrificed. I’ve been doing this since I was 19 [when] I joined the senior team. I’m 33 now. Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field. We do speak and I feel that I can still bring something to the team.”
Walker scored England’s equaliser against Ukraine (
Image:
Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)
Southgate has described Walker as “world class” and was desperate for him to carry on playing for England. Walker is now set to carry on until at least the Euros next summer.
It was Southgate who let slip Walker wanted to quit after England’s draw with Ukraine and was then worried he had given too much away when he saw the defender being quizzed about it.
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Southgate added: “It’s always all credit to him and I’ve talked him out of retirement twice! Out of international football.
“After the Euros and after the World Cup, I think think he loves being here and he’s wanted to keep going and now he’s thinking about how many caps can he get.
“He’s critical to us. If we’re talking about world class players in their position in our team then he’s probably one of them.”
