Former England international Kyle Walker must be an eternal optimist on behalf of his country, but that’s allowed and just as it should be. Walker believes there is only one team that can prevent the Three Lions from securing a historic second World Cup gold.
England booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after an insane 3-2 win over host nation Mexico at the Azteca stadium.
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Almost everyone else thinks it is France who will win and as Arsène Wenger argues that there is only one team that can stop France from winning the World Cup and it is not England he is thinking of.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had to endure a hostile crowd, difficult conditions – and a red card for Jarell Quansah – but persevered and delivered one of England’s most impressive victories in championship history.
The reward for that gutsy effort in Mexico City? A quarter-final against Norway, which shocked Brazil – five-time world champions – in New Jersey.
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And Walker believes that Norway could be a “real problem” for England when the teams meet on Saturday night in Miami.
Who is Kyle Walker?
Kyle Walker is one of England’s most high-profile defenders of all time. With over 70 caps for England and a string of titles with Manchester City – winning the Premier League and Champions League – he is known for his raw speed, leadership skills and ability to read the game. Although he has now put his national team career on the shelf, he still follows the lead and is a clear voice in English football.
The 36-year-old now plays for Burnley.
“I don’t mean any respect for Brazil, because Brazil is a fantastic team, but I think I would probably have preferred to face Brazil as England,” Walker says on The Sun’s YouTube channel.
“I feel like there are spaces where you can get around them, especially in midfield with Casemiro and the mobility there. I look at it and think that we probably could have run over them.
“But Norway is a well-organized team. They don’t really care much about the ball. But once they get the ball, you see that they can play. They have power packs at the top.
“And with Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard in the form they are in now, I think it could be a real problem. But by all means – hopefully England will deliver the same performance as against Mexico.
If England beats Norway, a semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland awaits.
On the other side of the draw, France will face Morocco, while Spain will host Belgium in a battle for a place in the semi-finals.
Last time, in 2022, it was England’s fate in the quarter-finals – they lost 2-1 to France after Harry Kane missed a penalty in injury time.
But Walker is convinced that England can go further this time:
“I think England should be a little disappointed if they don’t reach the final now.
“I’m not the one who puts pressure on them. I’ve been on the other side when everyone says you should do one thing and not the other.
“But I feel that this is a great opportunity – a fantastic opportunity to make history – and you have to seize it with both hands.
Despite that, Walker is not ready to call England favourites to win the whole thing – and still believes that France can stop the Three Lions once again.
“It’s not ours to lose, I feel,” he adds.
“I still feel that France are probably the favorites to win it.
That opinion is shared by another former England defender, Micah Richards, who said after England’s win on Sunday:
“The only team that really worries me is France. They are so dynamic.
Didier Deschamps’ side have won all five games so far in the championship – and are looking to become just the third nation after West Germany and Brazil to reach three World Cup finals in a row.
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