Kyle Walker says England interim manager Lee Carsley was correct to not name him in the squad for September’s Nations League fixtures.
The 34-year-old right-back has made just one substitute cameo for Manchester City this season and admitted his game time did not merit a call up.
However, Walker insisted he wanted to continue to be involved with the national team and force his way into Carsley’s plans with the defender requiring nine more appearances to bring up 100 caps.
“With the new manager and everything like that you’re expecting a few changes,” said Walker, speaking on his BBC podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’.
“Obviously disappointing because to represent your country is always the highest thing, especially with England when we’re doing so well. But I haven’t played any minutes this season so you have to take it on the chin.”
Walker started every match during England’s run to the final of this summer’s European Championship but was one of eight members from the last squad to miss Carsley’s first camp in interim charge.
Kieran Trippier has retired from international football and Jude Bellingham and Luke Shaw are out through injury, while Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Adam Wharton and Aaron Ramsdale have also not been included.
Under-21 head coach Carsley was placed in interim charge after Gareth Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024, and Walker explained the pair had discussed the decision before the squad announcement.
“He was really nice, he gave me a ring a couple of hours before the squad was announced and we just had a conversation,” Walker continued. “I said to him I’m on 91 caps, I want to be involved.
“It’s on performances and merit so I think it’s the right call from him. I just need to make sure I’m proving him wrong a little bit in the near future.”
Speaking at last week’s press conference following the squad announcement, Carsley explained his decision to omit Walker was due to his lack of first-team minutes since the Euros.
“Kyle hasn’t played this season, that would suggest City are phasing him in gently, we have to respect that,” Carsley said. “It’s important that players coming in are ready to play and up to speed.”
England begin their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday before facing Finland on Tuesday.
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Lee Carsley: Irish player, English coach
(Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
