England defender Kyle Walker was included in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament (Picture: Getty)
Kyle Walker was England’s sole representative as the official Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament was unveiled this afternoon.
Despite receiving heavy criticism on the back of a string of uninspiring performances, the Three Lions made it all the way to the final of this summer’s tournament in Berlin, where they were beaten by Spain.
Gareth Southgate has since confirmed his decision to step down as England head coach and the FA have begun their search for the 53-year-old’s successor, with the side set to return to Nations League action in September.
England entered the tournament as one of the hot favourites but many of Southgate’s key men underperformed in Germany, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both failing to replicate their extraordinary club form on a consistent basis across the campaign.
Rising stars Kobbie Mainoo, Marc Guehi and Cole Palmer all enhanced their reputations with strong showings for England. However, the trio were overlooked as the official Team of the Tournament was announced.
Manchester City defender Walker was the only member of England’s squad included in the star-studded XI, which was unsurprisingly dominated by Spanish players.
Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams all made the cut for La Roja, while France are represented by goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender William Saliba.
Arsenal star Saliba was joined at centre-back by Manuel Akanji, despite Switzerland’s elimination at the hands of England at the quarter-final stage.
After winning his 90th cap in England’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain, Walker took to Instagram to thank fans for their support.
‘This is one which will hurt for a long time,’ the England speedster wrote.
‘I strongly believed this was our time, but it wasn’t to be. Credit to Spain who was an excellent opposition and only one team can win.
‘Thank you to all the back room staff for everything they do. Finally a massive shout out to the fans who travelled and who supported back home. Time to rest up and go again in a few weeks.’
Despite being the oldest member of England’s squad this summer, Walker, 34, brushed off talk of retirement ahead of the Three Lions’ group-stage opener with Denmark.
‘Of course I want to go as far as I can,’ Walker said when asked of there could be extra motivation to succeed if it turned out to be his final tournament.
‘To represent my country as many times as I have done – honestly, I never thought I’d do it once, so to do it for the amount of years I’ve done it, I have to say is a credit to myself.
‘But I look at Pepe and he’s 41 playing for Portugal. So, they’re the levels people are setting now, the likes of Luka Modric, people like that.
‘These are people carrying on for top teams at a top level for a considerable amount of time. If they can do it, why can’t I?’
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