Russia Showing Solidifies Walker's Place as England Starter
Ultimately, the 1-1 draw with Russia wasn’t the worst result for England, but it was the manner of the stalemate that proved to be the major disappointment for the national team and supporters. Vasili Berezutski’s looping header in injury time cancelled out Eric Dier’s sweeping free kick to ensure the spoils were shared in Marseille. All in all, Roy Hodgson’s initial set up worked well, with it no surprise that he is expected to start in a similar system against Wales on Thursday.
That would mean another start for right-back Kyle Walker, who seems to have nailed down a starting berth for the Three Lions at Euro 2016. Nathaniel Clyne was first choice in the Engand defence up until the friendlies leading up to the European Championship, with the Liverpool man leapfrogged in the pecking order by Walker and his performance at the weekend showed why.
Only goalscorer Dier (7.87) gained a better WhoScored rating than Walker (7.66) of all England players in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Russia and it would not have been a real shock to have seen the latter awarded the man of the match award given his impact in the stalemate. A majority of England’s attacks came down their right side (42%) with Walker the primary offensive outlet for Hodgson’s side.
Walker completed more dribbles (6) than any other player in the first round of fixtures at Euro 2016, yet his athleticism allowed for him to sufficiently solidify the defence when it was required of him. Two tackles, one interception and four clearances meant Feder Smolov was restricted to just one shot on goal during his 84 minutes on the pitch.
The Russian forward scored more goals (20) than any other player in the Russian Premier League last season, yet failed to have the desired impact from the left flank with Walker marshaling the 26-year-old effectively as Russia were restricted to just 31% of their attacks down their left side. Given Walker’s performance at the Velodrome, it’s fair to say the Tottenham defender is now first choice right-back for England.
To a vast majority, that comes as little shock. Walker enjoyed his best Premier League season for Spurs last term, gaining a respectable WhoScored rating of 7.19 as the north London side guaranteed themselves Champions League football next season. Indeed, it’s a significant improvement on Clyne’s (6.79) - Walker's competition for a place in the side - who while enjoyed an impressive start to life on Anfield, failed to reach the heights expected of him following his summer switch from Southampton.
His dip in form clearly worked in Walker’s favour. After a series of injuries and a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the 26-year-old returned to action with aplomb. The capture of Kieran Trippier evidently had a positive effect on the former Sheffield United trainee, with the increase in competition forcing Walker to up his game, which he did so commendably. Only Simon Francis (193) and Mark Noble (186) made more tackles and interceptions combined of all English Premier League players than Walker (179) last season. Comparatively, Clyne made just 136, despite Jurgen Klopp’s appointment as Liverpool boss in October.
Importantly, Walker’s defensive work is a benefit for England. Should Hodgson name the same starting XI for Thursday’s meeting with Wales, then no fewer than five Spurs players, including Walker, feature from the off. With Dier dropping to act as a third centre-back when England push forward, this allows Walker to bomb forward up the flank, safe in the knowledge that his Spurs teammate is providing sufficient defensive cover.
Furthermore, with Dele Alli and Harry Kane operating in the final third, Walker is playing with teammates of whose runs he is familiar with in attack, thus increasing the chances of England scoring. While he registered just three Premier League assists last season, two were for Alli and Kane to score against Southampton and Bournemouth, respectively. An average of one key pass per league game last season was a commendable return for a defender and if he can link up efficiently with Kane and Alli again, England stand a much stronger chance of victory in Lens on Thursday.
Walker’s outing was cause for optimism following a disappointing stalemate in Marseille with Russia, with the defender arguably England’s strongest attacking outlet in the 1-1 draw. Against a Wales side expected to pack the defence to hit the Three Lions on the counter attack - and the Spurs right-back set to face off against club teammate Ben Davies provided he can get the better of Neil Taylor - Walker and fellow Spurs defender Danny Rose have big roles to play if England are to stretch the Dragons’ defence to secure a vital three points.
Do you think Kyle Walker is now firmly established as England's first choice right-back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
