Kyle Walker’s tough childhood gives him resolve to prove people wrong

Kyle Walker has had surgery on a ruptured groin but says he is now fit to challenge for a place in Gareth Southgate’s side. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

Prove people wrong, never be beaten. Each day is a new challenge, keep on pushing. “It’s just been my life,” Kyle Walker says, as he reflects on where the drive comes from. “Everyone writes me off and says certain things.

“When I signed for Manchester City, it was: ‘I can’t believe they paid that much for a full-back.’ It gives me that motivation and I do like to go out and show people. Maybe it is my upbringing. Where I grew up, you had to survive.”