KYLE WALKER has revealed he was one of England’s last penalty takers at Euro 2024 – but there was still someone less fancied from 12 yards.
The right-back started all seven games for England in Germany.
Walker was considered a key player throughout the tournament, with Gareth Southgate selecting him as part of a senior leadership group within the squad.
However, he was low down in the pecking order when it came to penalties.
The Manchester City star has revealed he was listed as England’s penultimate penalty taker, even behind goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Speaking on his BBC podcast You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker, he explained: “I think I was just before Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw was last, then it was me.
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“We were both as nervous as anything, just because we always say we don’t want to let anyone down.”
The 34-year-old did not take a penalty during England’s quarter-final shootout against Switzerland.
England won 5-3 to reach the semi-finals, where they faced Netherlands.
Walker also admitted he was baffled by Southgate’s decision to drop City team-mate Jack Grealish from his 26-man squad.
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He said: “Massively shocked. Because first and foremost I know what Jack brings not just on the field but off the field.
“He is like the knit that brings everyone together because he’s so bubbly and is such a great character.
“We all know what he can do on the football field. He has something different that the others didn’t have.”
Discussing his role within the squad, Walker continued: “Obviously, there was a little leadership group of me Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham and Saks [Bukayo Saka].
“We tried to make sure the messages that the manager was trying to get on to the field were understood and very clear to the players.
“And you have to work as a team, so if we’re fighting tooth and nail before we’ve even got there because I think he’s not brought my mate [Grealish] over – it’s not really going to stand us in good stead.
“Do I think Jack should have been there? Probably yeah, because I feel that he brings something different. But again it’s not down to me to decide who’s in the squad and who’s not in the squad.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
