England boss persuaded the 33-year-old Manchester City defender twice to retire from international competition..

England Kyle Walker claims that Gareth Southgate persuaded him twice to reconsider retiring from international competition.

Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, claims that he persuaded defender Kyle Walker to stay with the national team twice.

After Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, the 33-year-old Manchester City defender pondered calling it quits with England, but he was convinced to continue.

On his 77th appearance in the Saturday’s European qualification tie with Ukraine, Walker netted his first goal for England.

After the Euros and the World Cup, “I’ve talked him out of [retiring from international play] twice,” said Southgate.

“I believe he enjoys being here and has wanted to continue, and he is now considering how many caps he can get.

He is essential to us. He most likely belongs to the category of “world-class players in their position” on our squad.

“I believe he was unaware of how much we valued him and how significant he is to us. I doubt he’ll like me discussing it with him.

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Walker made his international debut for England in 2011 under Fabio Capello, but since Southgate took over as manager in 2016, the majority of his appearances have come under his leadership.

The ex-Tottenham and Sheffield United defender, who might win his 78th appearance against Scotland on Tuesday, claims that the level of competition at full-back led him to seriously contemplate giving up his international career.

“[With] the likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Tripps [Kieran Trippier], and Reece James coming through, you do think your days are numbered,” he remarked. “And how many summers and holidays have I missed out on. I’ve been doing this since I joined the senior squad at the age of 19, and I’m currently 33.

“Off the pitch, Gareth and I get along well. We do talk, and I still think I have something to offer the club. Why then stop?

 

 

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Aston Villa joins Arsenal and Man City in the €90 million claim for a defender.

The three Premier League sides said to be interested in the World Cup champion include Unai Emery’s Aston Villa outfit, according to the most recent transfer reports.

According to sources in Spain, three Premier League teams have been mentioned as having an interest in Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina, including Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old played the whole game of Argentina’s 1-0 victory against Ecuador on Saturday while on international duty with his country. He made a spectacular comeback from his injury last weekend, scoring in Atletico’s 7-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano to commemorate his return to the team’s starting lineup.

Atletico Madrid is eager to extend Molina’s contract with the club due to his impressive exploits on the national and international stages. The right-back’s current deal is valid through 2027.

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There are conflicting rumors on the value of the release clause in the full-back’s present contract, which is also rumored to include one. According to OK Fichajes, there are claims that the

clause is already €90 million (£77 million); but, if the player signs a new contract, the amount might increase.

The Spanish club ‘intends’ to extend the contract until 2029, according to reports, in an effort to fend off interest from Premier League rivals before the January transfer window. As one of the three teams named “after” the player, Villa joins championship contenders Manchester City and Arsenal. The statement is followed by the statement that “possible offers” from the trip “is an option that has not been ruled out.”

Molina was an important member of the Argentina team that won the World Cup in December in Qatar. Throughout the competition, he participated in all seven games, starting six of them. In the quarterfinal triumph over the Netherlands, he also scored, with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez emerging as the match’s victor in a penalty shootout.

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