Kyle Walker makes case for the defence as England scrape to Euro 2024 win
Kyle Walker believes the case for England’s defence when it comes to winning Euro 2024 is as strong as ever.
And the Three Lions veteran is convinced new kid on the block Marc Guehi will be at the heart of his side’s bid to become kings of Europe.
Gareth Southgate’s men might have limped to an unconvincing 1-0 win over Serbia in their opening game of Group C. Jude Bellingham’s early goal had threatened to see England run riot, before the tournament favourites ended up hanging on for the three points.
READ MORE: Five things we learned as England beat Serbia in their first game at Euro 2024
READ MORE: England fans say Bellingham is ‘winning the Ballon d’Or’ after Euros opening goal
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But Walker loves nothing more than to deal in the currency of clean sheets. England have now kept five in their last seven games.
And the Manchester City defender believes stopping goals will be just as important as scoring them, when it comes to providing the foundations for building something special this summer.
Walker has been named vice captain and will win his 85th cap in Thursday’s second group game against Denmark in Frankfurt.
(Image: Getty Images)
He said: “The first game is obviously a little bit cagey. You want to get off to a good start, obviously wanting to do the country proud.
“But to get the three points on the board is the most important thing. We did that and it’s a clean sheet as well. If you keep clean sheets in tournaments, you have a very good chance of going on and winning it.
“Listen, we’ve got off to a good start. I thought we defended well against obviously a physical side, but still there’s room for improvement. But hopefully now we’ve got that game out the way, and we can go on and hopefully achieve something really good.”
One of the major pluses for England on an otherwise nervous night was the performance of Guehi at centre back. The Crystal Palace star was imperious on his first start at a major tournament.
(Image: Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
And Walker reckons Guehi’s performance made a mockery of those who claimed England would struggle at the back without mainstay Harry Maguire, who missed out on the squad through injury.
Walker said: “The media like to build up a storm, and put thoughts in your head that probably shouldn’t be there. All of these players are fantastic players. I have played against them numerous times in the Premier League, and I know what they can do.
“Never mind who’s here or who’s not here, whoever was going to represent England are very good players. So we use the players that we’ve got and we work to our strengths, when other people can cover up other people’s weaknesses, it is as simple as that.
“Marc, from the moment he steps into the camp, he’s properly stepped into that role. There’s going to be pressure. I think everyone feels pressure. I’m the oldest head in the camp and I still go out onto the pitch and you still feel a bit anxious, just because you want to do everyone proud.
(Image: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
“But Marc, I thought he was fantastic. He didn’t put a foot wrong and hopefully that has settled his nerves a little bit, and we can form a good partnership along that back line.”
Walker believes the most successful sides at club and international level are built from the back.
He added: “In the Premier League season and Champions League, you have a good foundation at the back. Then you’ve got a good chance, because the attacking threat that we’ve got up front, we should go and score goals.”
