Kyle Walker shows true colours as he breaks silence on Lee Carsley England snub

Kyle Walker has been left out of the England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League double-header, but the Manchester City defender is in no mood to sulk over the decision

Posted Saturday, September 07, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Kyle Walker has opened up about being snubbed for the England squad, admitting that interim boss Lee Carsley was right to leave him out of the upcoming games.

Carsley, stepping in after Gareth Southgate's departure, has made some gutsy decisions for his first two UEFA Nations League matches, including handing debut call-ups to rising stars Noni Madueke and Angel Gomes. However, 34-year-old Walker, who played every minute of Euro 2024, won't be donning the Three Lions this time around.

Walker is still the club captain at Manchester City

The Manchester City defender, who celebrated his 34th birthday in May, earned his 90th cap in the Euro 2024 final, where England nearly tasted glory. Post-tournament, Walker's been battling fitness issues, barely featuring in City's early Premier League fixtures.

His teammate Rico Lewis seems to have nabbed his place in Carsley's selection, but Walker isn't holding any grudges.

Speaking on his BBC podcast 'You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker', the right-back shared his thoughts.

"Obviously with a new manager and everything like that, you are always expecting a few changes," he said.

"I'm obviously disappointed because to represent your country is always the highest thing, and especially for England when we are doing so well," reports the Mirror.

"But I haven't played many minutes this season, so you have to take it on the chin. To be fair [Lee Carsley] was really nice and gave me a ring a couple of hours before the squad was announced, and we just had a conversation.

"I said... I want to be involved. But I think it is on performance and merit. So I think it's the right call from him. I need to make sure that I am proving him wrong in the near future."

Walker doesn't have long to wait for another chance to add to his England caps. The Three Lions will return to international action in October, with matches at home to Greece and away in Finland, and the defender's club manager Pep Guardiola expects him to bounce back.

"He will be back to his best and it will be soon," Guardiola said in August. "Always, he is an incredible weapon for the national team to be used, because having specific qualities that are really, really needed," Guardiola said.

"But, of course, he was late back and after he arrived he still had some niggles and problems and Rico was playing really good in pre-season. That's why he's in this position.

"But you know he's had many, many games for the national team as well, his physicality is still there and his desire is there, so he still has the chance to come back. He just has to perform well here and then the opening for the national team will be there."