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Gareth Southgate has revealed that he has twice talked England and Manchester City star Kyle Walker out of retiring from international duty.<\/p>\n
Having amassed 77 caps and counting since making his Three Lions debut in 2011, Walker can be considered one of the best defenders in his country\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
The right-back has represented his country at four international tournaments, playing a key role in their run to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.<\/p>\n
At the age of 33, he is still as important as ever and finally scored his first England goal in the 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday.<\/p>\n
However, Southgate has now revealed that the City legend was prepared to hang up his international boots at two points in the last few years and had to be persuaded to continue.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve talked him out of retirement from international football twice. After the Euros [in 2020] and after the World Cup [in 2022],\u2019 the England manager said as his side prepare for the friendly against Scotland on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think he loves being here and he\u2019s wanted to keep going and now he\u2019s thinking about how many caps can he get. If we\u2019re talking about world class players in their position in our team then he\u2019s probably one of them.<\/p>\n
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\u2018He\u2019s critical to us. He didn\u2019t realise how much value we have for him and how important he is for us.<\/p>\n
\u2018He has [got better with age]. It doesn\u2019t always happen. It\u2019s not only playing but also around training, the way I hear him speak when he\u2019s interviewed, his influence on the group, he\u2019s become a really mature leader for us.<\/p>\n
\u2018His all-round game \u2014 he has great composure in a position where you don\u2019t always find it. Our senior players were important and he was the pick against Ukraine.<\/p>\n
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\u2018He\u2019s got huge experience of winning big matches. I pulled him aside two or three days into the training this week because his focus was really clear, the way he was organising on the pitch. He\u2019s enjoying the extra responsibility he\u2019s had at his club and I know he\u2019s ready to embrace that with us as well.\u2019<\/p>\n
It is a testament to his ability that Walker is still first-choice given England\u2019s incredible depth at right-back, with Newcastle\u2019s Kieran Trippier, Liverpool\u2019s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea\u2019s Reece James all trying to usurp him.<\/p>\n
Walker has now admitted that that competition has weighed on his mind a lot and was a key factor as he contemplated retiring.<\/p>\n
He said: \u2018Obviously, at the time that me and Gareth spoke, the likes of Trent, Tripps, Reece James were coming through \u2014 you do think your days are numbered.<\/p>\n
\u2018And to sacrifice how many holidays and summers that I\u2019ve sacrificed\u2026 I\u2019ve been doing this since I was 19 when I joined the senior team. I\u2019m 33 now.<\/p>\n
\u2018Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field. We do speak and I feel that I can still bring something to the team. So why stop?\u2019<\/p>\n