Premier League legend Wayne Rooney has insisted Kyle Walker remains the best right-back in the world right now, as he was asked about Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold and his England prospects.
The former Manchester United man sat down with Gary Neville for an interview on The Overlap and spoke on a variety of topics.
At one point, the pair discussed England and their potential for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, with City players likely to feature fairly prominently.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden have all been called up by Gareth Southgate, and it is likely that all three will be starting that first game against Serbia.
Rooney insisted that Foden has to start – but he also believes that Walker should be nailed on too, suggesting there is no one better than him in his position…
Wayne Rooney insists Manchester City star Kyle Walker is still the best right-back in the world
With the season now over, fans are turning their attention to Euro 2024, and many are optimistic about England’s chances.
Southgate has a plethora of talent at his disposal, and it is rare you get two fans choosing the exact same ‘best starting XI’.
At this point, many feel Foden should definitely be starting, and in the middle too where he has been absolutely scintillating for Manchester City of late.
Rooney and Neville spoke about getting Trent Alexander-Arnold into the team, but Rooney feels he shouldn’t play in midfield because you would lose creativity from out wide.
But Rooney insists that Walker is the top man in his position. He said (The Overlap): “I think with Trent, I’ve watched him play there a few times in midfield. I think you lose a lot of his quality from full-back. Of course he picks passes from midfield.
“But I think he’s got to try and fight it out. I know Kyle’s probably the best probably the best right-back in the world at the minute.”
Neville has previously shared the same verdict, and has said that Walker is actually the greatest right-back in Premier League history.
Walker is still right up there
There can be little doubt that Walker is still right up there in terms of the world’s top right-backs.
His form was a bit up and down at times throughout 2023/24 and he did become the target of criticism at points. But his importance to Pep Guardiola was very clear – in the end, only Rodri and Phil Foden played more minutes than he did in the season just gone.
It will be really interesting to see Southgate’s first teamsheet against Serbia. But you would imagine Walker has done enough to earn a start at right-back.
Alexander-Arnold is obviously a big creative talent, but he isn’t quite as strong defensively as Walker. The 34-year-old is a better overall player and it would be just about right for him to get the nod.