At 34, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker does not have many more years left as an England player.
Walker was the oldest player in the Three Lions’ squad during the European Championship this year.
Gabby Agbonlahor slated Walker’s displays at Euro 2024 — which was the fifth major tournament of his career.
Matt Le Tissier claimed Walker was “bang average” at Euro 2024 as well.
The English media blasted Walker’s performance for England against Finland in the UEFA Nations League as well.
The Manchester City legend’s recent outings for his national side seem to be under scrutiny.
Thomas Tuchel as England manager should be dream news for Kyle Walker
The growing involvement of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England side as well as the rise of Rico Lewis are factors that would not do much to ease Walker’s potential concerns about his international future.
The veteran himself succeeded the ageing Glen Johnson as the Three Lions’ starting right-back.
On Wednesday, The Times revealed on X that Thomas Tuchel has agreed a deal to become the new England manager — an update that should delight the six-time Premier League winner for multiple reasons.
Firstly, it was reported in June 2023 that Tuchel personally wanted to sign Walker at Bayern Munich.
In September last year, the former Tottenham Hotspur speedster told BBC Sport that he was “close” to signing for Bayern as well.
With Thomas Tuchel seemingly being a huge admirer of Walker, he could remain England’s first-choice right-back if he takes the job.
While some might argue that the German could perhaps be disinterested in handing the City colossus a key role due to his age, it is important to remember that a 31-year-old Cesar Azpilicueta captained his Chelsea side to their Champions League triumph in 2021.
Notably, the Spaniard was instrumental in Tuchel’s side — playing on the right side of a back three — a position Walker has played in for both club and country.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss has experimented with both a back three and a back four during his career — making him quite tactically flexible in this regard.
With Walker’s years of experience in playing in both setups as a traditional right-back and in a more reserved role as a right-sided centre-back as well, he could be tailor-made to play in Thomas Tuchel’s defence.
Either Alexander-Arnold or the 51-year-old’s former colleague at Chelsea, Reece James — who famously started in the Champions League final as they beat Manchester City 1-0 in 2021 as a right wing-back could be asked to play in the same role due to the pair being superior offensively to Walker.
Opta Joe revealed that Tuchel’s Chelsea side conceded a mere 24 goals in his first 50 games in charge — making them one of the sternest defensive teams in Europe.
Thomas Tuchel seems to take immense pride in coaching a team to have an incredible defence and considering Walker is one of the best defenders of his generation, both parties could enjoy working with each other.
Considering the Sheffield-born full-back is yet to win a major trophy in an England shirt despite sweeping up every possible medal for Manchester City, he would also be delighted to potentially be managed by a knockout football specialist in Tuchel as well — who has reached two Champions League finals, won the competition once and even lifted the DFB-Pokal at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel could rely on Walker for England at 2026 World Cup
By the time the 2026 World Cup begins, the treble-winner could turn 36.
However, if Thomas Tuchel decides to rely on Walker until then, the good news for him is that he revealed in June via BBC Sport that he intends to keep playing internationally.
“I look at Pepe last night [against Czechia] 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?”
When asked about how long he managed to continue playing for, Walker replied: “How long is a piece of string?”
“I feel as long as you’re putting the performances in for your club which then gets you into the England fold, I’m in contention. I still feel great.”
Walker’s desire to keep playing for England could be a factor that impresses Thomas Tuchel if he indeed takes over the England job and looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
