World Cup 2018: Man City star Kyle Walker reveals why England can succeed in Russia - 7M sport

World Cup 2018: Man City star Kyle Walker reveals why England can succeed in Russia

KYLE WALKER believes Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola will benefit England at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.


Posted Sunday, May 27, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

World Cup 2018: Man City star Kyle Walker reveals why England can succeed in Russia
Kyle Walker wants to take Man City's winning mentality into the World Cup

He is one of four City title winners in the England squad – John Stones, Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling are the others.

And as the Three Lions prepare for Saturday’s friendly against Nigeria at Wembley, Walker said: "This season has been a dream come true in winning the Premier League.

"Hopefully, me, John, Delphy and Raz can bring that into the camp and take that winning mentality into Russia.

"John and I said in the first week of training, ‘Imagine driving down the Princess Parkway in Manchester as Premier League champions’.

"Well, we did it. And the style of football with which we did it was great and we have shown you can play football like that and win the Premier League.

"So it’s good coming here with England, knowing you won the title. I’ve been dreaming about that since I was a little boy."

Walker, who turns 28 tomorrow, is understandably still on a high after his first season at City, following a £50million move from Tottenham last summer.

And the defender added: "As a player, you don’t put a price tag on your head. That is up to the chairmen of the clubs involved.

"Some people saw it as a lot of money, so there was a bit of proving people wrong.

"And I joined a manager in Pep who makes you feel like you are the best player in the world when you go on the field and that gives you some confidence.

"Pep has taught me so much, but he’s also happy to sit down and talk to you about anything.

"I feel like he’s a friend, but the players have that respect for him as a fantastic manager. He has worked with two other right-backs in Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm who are two of my idols.

"They are two completely different players, so I have tried to take a bit from both of them to become the complete right-back – that’s what I am striving to become.

"But I have also played in a three-at-the-back system and also played as a central defender at Sheffield United and for England Under-19s.

World Cup 2018: Man City star Kyle Walker reveals why England can succeed in Russia
Kyle Walker joined Man City for £50m last summer

"I still consider myself to be a right-back, it’s my preferred position. But as long as I am on the fi eld at the World Cup, then I’m completely happy to play anywhere."

Walker has come a long way to get to the top. He said: "Ten years ago, I went to Northampton in League One on loan from Sheffield United. I followed my mum and dad down to Northampton, because I’d never driven on a motorway before.

"The players there must have thought, ‘Who’s this kid who needs his mum and dad with him?’.

"But it was a massive opportunity for me to show what I could do and I played 13 first-team games.

"Now, I’m part of an England team taking huge steps in the right direction – and I’m one of the older ones, which is a bit scary!

"I’m trying to bring that feeling we have at Manchester City to the England camp, that we don’t have to score in the first 10 minutes.

"If you have to wait until the 80th minute that’s fine, because it’s about controlling the game.

"If we do that in Russia, like Spain and Germany do, then hopefully we’ll have a good tournament.

"Players earn a lot of money. I’ve got a nice house but inside it I want trophies to put in the cabinet."

And Walker wants England to play with freedom and to enjoy the World Cup. He for one has the air of someone who intends doing just that.

He added: "It’s a privilege to represent England – why fear anything? I want us to play like you do in the park, like we did as kids."

Park Life with a touch of Guardiola-style control of matches – that could be the perfect recipe for England in Russia.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.