Walker was the oldest player in the England squad, with his pace vital in helping prevent opponents get in behind the defence.
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England may have been defeated in the final of Euro 2020 by Italy. However, the former will certainly look at the tournament with great happiness, having qualified for a historic final. While the likes of Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling enjoyed a lot of praise for their contribution during the course of the campaign, one of the major factors behind their dominance was the excellence of Kyle Walker. Walker played every minute of all but one game which was the 0-0 group stage draw with Scotland. The Manchester City defender was the oldest player in the England squad at the age of 31, with his pace vital in helping prevent opponents get in behind the defence. Despite playing 599 minutes (the equivalent to 6.7 full 90s), Walker committed only one foul and was dribbled past only once during Euro 2020.
Walker was handed the unenviable task of negotiating some of the best in the business, in a high-pressure environment where any mistake would invite deep scrutiny. However, the player would have backed himself to make his presence felt having been tasked with the tough job of replacing Manchester City legend Pablo Zabaleta in the summer of 2017.
Zabaleta had departed two months earlier having won the hearts and minds of supporters during a nine-year spell. While Walker was considered one of the finest right-backs in the country at the time of the signing, replacing the Argentine was certainly going to be quite tough.
However, the English defender went about the task with aplomb, emerging as one of the pillars on which Pep Guardiola has built the most successful side in the club’s history. City’s march to a Premier League and Carabao Cup double in the 2020/21 campaign saw the club lift an astonishing nine trophies since his arrival four years ago.
Interestingly, Walker initially desired to be an attacker. However, he did not develop to the extent assumed, resulting in a game-changing decision.
“I don’t know a right-back or a full-back who started off there. Couldn’t get a game at centre-forward to be completely honest. I signed my scholarship and there were better centre-forwards than me, even though I went to Lilleshall as a centre-forward at Under-16s. Was a late developer. I didn’t grow and I was very light. We played Nottingham Forest and they had a quick winger, but the right-back at the time wasn’t playing for one reason or another. The coach put me there and from that day on I have never played another position,” he said in an interaction with Manchester City’s official website.
“At first, I thought why am I not playing centre-forward? Why am I not getting the goals and the glory? But you soon realise it’s quite enjoyable. Your role changes in the team and I enjoyed setting people up rather than scoring. I went from getting the odd 10 or 15 minutes in the first four months after I came out of school and into full-time football, to playing every game.”
While Walker was certainly extremely talented before joining Manchester City and one of the best in the business, the defender reached another level of excellence following the arrival of Guardiola. This transition is evident from the viewpoint of Kevin Fogg, one of the key figures who helped oversee the Englishman’s development as a promising Under-16 and 17-year old during his time as Sheffield United’s Assistant Academy Manager.
“Kyle played centre-back and then he moved to right-back because of his attacking skills. He was a very, very good crosser of the ball on the run and that is a dying art. There are one or two in the England squad who can do it, but nobody can do it better than Kyle. And he has got an excellent shot on him. The most important thing was that his attitude was A1. He always wanted to learn. He was no trouble.”
“I have kept in contact with his mum and dad throughout his journey. I can remember him coming into the office once and he had just got sponsored boots. He had just got his first England shirt, I think it was Under-19s level, and he gave one to a fellow coach Ron Reid and one to myself. His heart has always been in the right place and Kyle understands where he has come from. I don’t think those traits will have changed from a schoolboy to where he is now. He must be a coach’s dream. I’m very proud of him and what he has done, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went into coaching.”
“He’s always had an opinion about the game and with the experience he has had, it would be a shame not to pass that on. As soon as Kyle came in full-time, you could see the change in him. He adapted to the rigours of professional football really well because he was so hungry. Gave himself the best opportunity by his work ethic, his pace and wanting to know his role and responsibilities in the team. He grew up very quickly with his attitude, and was very respectful. We would look at who was picking the bibs or the balls up, he was always taking leadership like that,” added Fogg.
However, Guardiola has helped Walker develop into a finer version as a footballer.
“The manager has encouraged him to be aggressive, but selective with his runs. That’s what he does. Kyle used to go gung-ho at one time. If you watched him at Tottenham and Sheffield United, he would see the space and go, but sometimes if you do that have left the space behind you to be exploited. Tactically, he has learnt when and when not to go,” explained Fogg.
Walker will be high on confidence following a fine Euro 2020 campaign, and the intensity is expected to reflect on the pitch when the Premier League kicks off shortly.
