Kyle Walker’s exclusion from England’s squad to face Ireland and Finland in their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures was one of the high-profile omissions from their roster.
Walker has 90 caps for his national team — making him one of his country’s most experienced players.
The £50 million man also started in the European Championship final against Spain; emphasising how important he was for England as recently as in July.
But the Manchester City veteran has been omitted in favour of three other right-backs in the squad; Rico Lewis, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Livramento.
The 34-year-old still has a chance to make the cut in future England squads.
But as things stand, Three Lions interim manager Lee Carsley has sided with other options.
Walker is yet to play a single minute of Premier League football as he makes a gradual return to club football after Euro 2024.
Carsley reveals key reason for Walker exclusion from England squad
The £175,000-a-week man also did not participate in City’s pre-season tour of the United States.
The 34-year-old has been in training for Manchester City, however.
But while England teammates Phil Foden and John Stones made appearances against Chelsea and Ipswich Town respectively, the former Tottenham Hotspur speedster is yet to.
The six-time Premier League winner will be hoping to against West Ham United on Saturday.
Lee Carsley was quizzed about why he decided to omit Walker from the England squad.
The 50-year-old revealed via HaytersTV that a crucial reason why he chose to do so is due to the revered right-back’s lack of playing time so far this campaign.
“It was important, like I said before that we put our own mark on the squad. I think the fact that Kyle [Walker] hasn’t played this season would suggest that City are phasing him in gently, we have to respect that.”
“I think it’s important that players that are coming in are ready to play and are up to speed and I think that’s going to be a big thing of the squad. I’d say 98 per cent of the squad have played minutes so far and are in a good position.”
Kyle Walker will be determined to reclaim England place
While Walker could understand the rationale behind the call taken by Lee Carsley, he will be aware that the likes of Lewis, Alexander-Arnold and Livramento could pose a threat to his place in the England squad.
The City captain is not getting any younger and Carsley has several top right-backs to pick from.
As a result, Walker will be hoping that his international career does not reach a point where he is starting to get phased out.
After losing in two major tournament finals at the European Championship and yet to win a single piece of silverware with England, travelling to the 2026 World Cup will be a driving factor for the treble-winner to ensure he remains at the top level.
However, that remains a long-term goal.
If Lee Carsley goes on to become England’s full-time manager, Walker would be intending to make a good impression on him by proving that he still has what it takes to play at a world-class level for City; starting with the 2024/2025 season.
