Kyle Walker was vice-captain as England reached the final of Euro 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Kyle Walker admits he was ‘disappointed’ not be called-up to the England squad, but concedes Lee Carsley has made ‘the right call’.
Interim manager Carsley begins his tenure in charge of the Three Lions with Nations League clashes against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Finland on Tuesday.
The former U21s boss’ first squad features a number of fresh faces including uncapped quartet Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke.
Additionally, a number of Gareth Southgate’s favourites have been omitted including Walker, Jordan Henderson and Kieran Trippier, the latter now having retired from international football.
Walker is a surprise snub given that the Manchester City star has been an ever present for his country for the last eight years, appearing at three European Championships and two World Cups.
At 90 caps he’s the joint-11th most experienced England player of all-time and was vice-captain at Euro 2024, starting every game as his team reached the final.
‘Obviously with a new manager and everything like that, you are always expecting a few changes,’ the 34-year-old said on his podcast, You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker.
Lee Carsley is in temporary charge of England (Photo: Getty)
‘I’m obviously disappointed because representing your country is always the highest things, and especially for England when we are doing so well.
‘But I haven’t played many minutes this season, so you have to take it on the chin. [Carsley] was really nice and gave me a ring a couple of hours before the squad was announced, and we just had a conversation.
England’s 23-man squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
‘I said, “I’m on 90 caps and I want to be involved”. But I think it is on performances and merit.
‘I think it’s the right call. I need to make sure that I am proving him wrong in the near future.’
In Walker’s place, Carsley has selected a different City right-back in Rico Lewis, as well as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Newcastle star Livramento.
Walker will next be in action on September 14 when the Citizens host Brentford in the Premier League.
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