Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 6y

England's Kyle Walker is not a real defender - ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has singled out Kyle Walker as a potential weak link in the England team, saying he is "not a real defender" and can be prone to mistakes.

Former Tottenham player Walker, now at Manchester City, has been used in a back three by Gareth Southgate despite mainly playing at right-back for his club.

"The point is that he is not a real defender, and especially not a central defender," ex-Arsenal boss Wenger told beIN SPORTS. "He can be subject to defensive mistakes, which he would not pay for when he plays on the right.

"That's why the sacrificed player, who nobody talks about, who had played all the games before, is [Tottenham's Eric] Dier, because he can play in the middle as a centre-back and he can play in midfield as well. And until now, I don't know why, he has not been used at all."

Walker has also been questioned by other pundits, with Rio Ferdinand criticising his positioning in the lead-up to the penalty conceded against Tunisia in the opening group game.

However, former Man City teammate Yaya Toure defended Walker, telling the BBC Daily Podcast his defending was good but adding that he felt he would be more effective on the right.

"Kyle Walker, for me, is one of the best right-backs. I remember when he was at Tottenham, I hated to go on his side because he was so pacey and so powerful. Coming to City now I think he's learned more," Toure said.

"For me, he is his best in this position because his defending is good and his attacking is more good. He's always up and down [the wing]. He's full of energy. He must be one of the quickest right-backs in the world.

"But for me, playing Walker in the three at the back means they [England] lose something. It would be better to put him at right-back because he's going to be more dangerous sooner."

England play Belgium on Thursday in a match that will decide who finishes top of Group G.

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