Southgate warning to heroes
3 LIONS FEAR FOR CITY ACE
KYLE WALKER believes his England career is over at the age of 29.
The Manchester City full-back was stunned at being left out of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the second time in a row.
Walker was told by Southgate last month he was still his first choice, despite being left out of the squad for the Euro 2020 wins against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
He thought he would be recalled yesterday for the qualifiers against Czech Republic and Kosovo, but has been left out in favour of Trent AlexanderArnold and Kieran Trippier.
Walker is now resigned to never playing for England again, despite being in good form for City at what should be the peak of his career. Just over a year ago, he was instrumental in helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and had ambitions of winning 100 caps.
Now it looks like he might not win 50 after finding himself stuck on 48.
A source close to Walker said: “He fears this could be the end of him when it comes to England.
“He’s only 29, at his peak. He thinks he should be in the squad, but it appears Gareth Southgate is not having him. It’s ridiculous and doesn’t look good moving forward.”
Walker has been left out along with fellow World Cup heroes Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard by a ruthless Southgate, who is keen to blood young talent.
Southgate has been given a headache at right-back due to having four top-class players available in Walker, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He named three right-backs in his last squad and with Wan-Bissaka, absent from the latest due to illness, could have recalled Walker. But instead the England boss looks to have sent a clear message.
MANCHESTER CITY have been charged by UEFA for failing to control their fans after objects were thrown during their Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
The Croatian club have been charged with the same offence, as well as for their fans damaging around 150 seats at the Etihad.
UEFA said the charges against both clubs would be heard by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary body on October 17. we want to look at some of the young players.
“Let’s invest time in some of those younger players, knowing that we’ve got to keep winning matches now by exposing people to the level and the environment, and seeing how they cope with it.”
Alli, 23, was a key figure at the 2018 World Cup but has struggled this term.
Southgate said: “The last 12 months have been frustrating for him.
“He’s had this string of hamstring injuries where he’s always been coming back up to the level. So that’s definitely been the situation at the beginning of this season, not quite yet at full match fitness.
“But he’s a fighter, I know he’ll fight his way back into our group.”
Southgate recalled Tammy Abraham and says he is ready to come of age for England, two years after his first call-up.
The Chelsea striker won two caps in friendlies against Brazil and Germany in 2017.
Southgate said: “He’s a super kid. He wants to be better. He’s still physically developing his strength and holding play up, holding defenders off.
“They are still elements of that part of his game that can be bettered.
“But he’s got seasons under his belt now, he’s scored regularly, he’s now doing it at the highest level.
“He’s top of the scoring charts so he should be ready to challenge.”
Abraham’s selection will also fend off interest from Nigeria, because if the 22-year-old plays in either game he will be committed to England.