Football
Euro 2024
Kyle Walker only listens to England boss Gareth Southgate and his mother on his performances
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Updated 19/06/2024 at 21:05 GMT
Ahead of England's Euro 2024 clash with Denmark, right-back Kyle Walker has said he does not pay attention to social media. Instead, he focuses on what his mother and Gareth Southgate have to say about his performances. The England boss, meanwhile, provided a positive assessment on England's win over Serbia and said the players shouldn't "take results for granted".
Southgate’s ‘world a happier place’ without social media as England boss blocks out distractions
Kyle Walker has said he only listens to his mother and Gareth Southgate when it comes to his performances for England.
Ahead of facing Denmark on Thursday evening, the Manchester City right-back was asked about how much his fellow squad members read opinions on social media at Euro 2024.
And while he couldn’t speak for all of his compatriots at the tournament, Walker made it clear that he only values the post-match opinions of two very special people.
“I don’t read it at all,” revealed Walker. “It’s what I call the top 10% that is going to separate you from being a very, very good player or an average player.
“If you have outside noise then people take it in different ways. I’d rather concentrate on what the gaffer says and what my mum says!
“She always says I have a good game and I take it from there really.”
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Southgate's world a 'happier place' without social media
Likewise, England boss Gareth Southgate admitted that players used to read the newspapers back in his playing days, but stated that he is keeping himself away from online opinions.
Southgate said: “I don’t do it [read social media]. My world’s a happier place if I shut myself off.
“It’s not good from a global perspective because I haven’t got a clue what’s going on in politics or events elsewhere.
“But for the next month, that’s going to be a better place for me.”
Southgate looked back on his side’s performance the 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday positively.
“We know that we can play better than we did the other day,” said Southgate.
“But I thought the players, in what is an incredibly pressurised moment, started the game exceptionally well and defended brilliantly throughout the whole game.
“And I think they’ll be better for that game, physically and emotionally.
“There’s so much tension. I don’t think people can really understand what it is like for young players.
“So I’m pleased to have got the result from that and we know we have to be better now against a strong Danish team tomorrow.”
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Ahead of what will be a rematch of the semi-final at Euro 2020, Southgate also called on his players to enjoy the wins when they come and not take them for granted.
He said: "We’ve had some good results over the years so maybe even we take results for granted, I should let the boys enjoy it more than they do.
“I hope they have a little bit longer than me! There should be more joy in it but it’s not my reality if I’m frank.
“My focus is to get qualified from the group, two tough opponents and two games to achieve that. I’m not looking beyond tomorrow night’s game at this moment in time."
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Finally, Southgate confirmed the continued absence of Luke Shaw from playing contention, though noting that the Manchester United left-back was “on track” in his recovery.
“He’s actually on track for where we thought he would be originally,” said Southgate. “We were hoping a couple of days ago that we might accelerate that a little bit, but he needs a bit more volume work.”
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