Ashley Young has given an insight into one Manchester City player’s leadership qualities when he was an England player.
The likes of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden have quite a lot of experience on their side when it comes to wearing a Three Lions shirt.
Stones, for instance, started his 23rd successive game in a major tournament as England beat Slovakia 2-1 on Sunday — a record previously held by Chelsea legend Ashley Cole.
As for Walker, he is England’s vice-captain and the oldest member of their current squad at 34 years of age.
Ashley Young makes fresh revelation about Kyle Walker
After Gareth Southgate’s side secured their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Declan Rice revealed that the veteran told his teammates that they must keep pushing for an equaliser and believed that they could get something out of the game.
The Manchester City skipper evidently led from the front during his nation’s Round of 16 clash and did not shy away from the tough situation his team were in.
Ashley Young revealed that when he used to play for England, Walker was one of the main leaders in the dressing room.
Young told talkSPORT (01/07/2024, 8:11 am): “I am thinking. You obviously look at Harry Kane for one being the England captain. He should be the one that’s leading at half-time and saying this just isn’t good enough. Then the likes of Kyle Walker will be speaking as well. I remember from my time in the squad he was one of the boys that was really vocal. Jordan Pickford is another one of them.”
One reason why Kyle Walker has become the player he is
In football, there are different types of leaders.
Some tend to be quite understated, like Ilkay Gundogan, who prefer to lead by example while others, like Walker do their talking with their feet and as vocal presences in their side.
Perhaps a key reason why the £50 million man became the outstanding player he developed into was due to him being a natural leader of men.
Walker seems to enjoy the responsibility of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and willing his teammates on to fight tooth and nail in every game.
It is no coincidence that the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back is Manchester City’s captain and England’s vice-captain.
Keeping Walker’s talent aside, it seems to be his elite mindset that has meant he has had the career he has had and for England to win the European Championship, the revelation from Ashley Young paints a picture that he could play a major role by being the brilliant leader he is.