‘Kyle Walker shouldn’t be in England’s team’ – Gary Lineker gives bold verdict on Man City ace

Gary Lineker has told BBC colleagues Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer that they have made a mistake by selecting Kyle Walker in the starting elevens to face Senegal at the World Cup.

The 62-year-old believes the Manchester City right-back should not be risked against the African nation as he is the only player in the squad capable of dealing with Kylian Mbappe should the Three Lions reach the quarter-finals

Manchester City’s Phil Foden stole the headlines in the wake of England’s 3-0 defeat of Wales this week as the 22-year-old scored on his first-ever World Cup start. Walker also enjoyed a positive evening, as the right-back took to the pitch for the first time since picking up a groin injury in early October.

Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier started England’s opening two group games on the right side of defence, but Gareth Southgate included Walker in his starting XI to face Wales. The City man lasted 57 minutes without issue, giving him a good chance of starting against Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.

During BBC Sport’s broadcast of South Korea’s 2-1 win against Portugal on Friday, pundits Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand gave their predictions for how England will line up against Senegal. Both picked Walker at right-back, but former England striker Lineker didn’t agree.

“I think you have both made a mistake with your line-ups,” Lineker said. “Kyle Walker should not be in England’s team to play Senegal because we cannot afford for Walker to get injured because he is probably the only full-back in the world that can compete with Kylian Mbappe.

“Why would you take the risk? I don’t think, given the right-backs that England have, why risk Walker?”

Should England beat Senegal and France beat Poland in their last 16 tie, then the two will meet in the quarter-finals. In response, Ferdinand argued that England should pick their strongest team possible to face Senegal and then think about France should they get to the next round.

“I think Trent Alexander-Arnold and Trippier would be comfortable in that position, should Walker get injured,” he said.