Gary Lineker has insisted that England resting Kyle Walker against Senegal in the World Cup Round of 16 with an eye on a potential quarter final against France would not be disrespectful.
Lineker explained on BBC Sport on Friday that Gareth Southgate should not “risk” the Manchester City right-back for their Round of 16 tie against the African champions. Senegal are without their injured star forward Sadio Mane but are likely to be England’s toughest match of the tournament so far.
Senegal defeated host nation Qatar and Ecuador to advance through to the knockout stages with six points, finishing one point behind group winners the Netherlands. They are hopeful of concluding a memorable year which saw them crowned champions of Africa for the first time.
The winner of England’s tie against Senegal will progress through to a quarter final match against the winner of the Round of 16 clash between world champions France and Poland. As with the Three Lions, Didier Deschamps’s France are strong favourites to progress.
Lineker believes that England should have one eye on what could unfold after the Round of 16, arguing that they must prioritise blocking France’s biggest attacking threat Kylian Mbappe and that means a fully fit Walker being available for the clash.
Lineker argued: “ Kyle Walker should not be in England’s team to play Senegal, and I will tell you exactly why. We, England, cannot afford for Walker to get injured in that match. Because he is just about the only full-back on the planet who can compete with Kylian Mbappe.
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“Mbappe is the French team. Why would you take the risk of him (Walker) getting injured, particularly in that position. I don’t want to sound arrogant and that we are taking Senegal for granted, but why risk Walker? We have two wonderful players in that position with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier so there are options there.”
Lineker reiterated his stance on Twitter by retweeting his comments and adding: “No brainer.” He then went a step further by amplifying another account who agreed with his stance on Walker’s selection.
Lineker retweeted one Twitter used who said: “It’s not (disrespectful) at all. He literally says no disrespect to Senegal because he knows they’re not an easy opponent and raises a good point that the other right backs are of a great standard, just don’t have the pace that Walker does which will be needed against Mbappe.” England play Senegal on Sunday evening while France will play Poland earlier in the day, with the victors of each tie going on to meet in the quarter finals next week.
