England boss Gareth Southgate warns NO ONE is safe after Man City star Kyle Walker is axed

GARETH SOUTHGATE warned NO ONE is safe after axing Kyle Walker from his England squad.

The Three Lions boss left Manchester City’s 48-cap defender out of next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers at home to Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Southgate said: “I don’t think anybody in the squad can sit and think ‘well, I’m in so there’s no pressure on’. The challenge is there for all of them, whether they are younger or older — don’t assume anything.

“Everyone has to keep performing if we’re to challenge the best teams and that’s how we are going to develop.”

Walker is believed to be disappointed and surprised but willing to fight for his place.

He was a key part of the team that reached the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last year.

But Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is now first-choice right-back.

Manchester United’s £50million new boy Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also in the squad and there is a recall for Kieran Trippier.

Southgate admitted it was a difficult call to leave out Walker.

He said: “We have got to qualify so we’re always mindful of the need to keep winning matches.
“But, also, we’ve got to give some opportunity to develop other players.

“Without getting Trent’s head too big, too quickly, he’s one of those we look to integrate and give more opportunity to.

“If we don’t make a pathway, then when are you ever going to put them in?

“With Aaron, we’ve got a completely different kind of player and we’ve got Trips as a bit of cover. So there’s no point bringing Kyle in if the intention is not to start him in games.

“He’s a senior player and he’ll value the rest and recovery. But we could be in a different space in four weeks’ time.

“It’s a unique position to have four that are of a very high level, but two young ones as well.”

SunSport revealed last week how Southgate went to Spain to see Trippier play for Atletico Madrid.

The England boss said: “He had a difficult season at Tottenham last year in that for most of it he was carrying an injury.

“He’s moved to an outstanding club with an outstanding manager, so it’s not like he’s taken a step down.

“If you look at the forwards, we’ve got four or five for three spots and that’s with Callum Hudson-Odoi to come back.

“In midfield, we’ve got the players that are in now, those that have been with us more recently and the likes of Phil Foden coming through.

“Similarly at the back, so it’s a far healthier situation than we had a while ago, because we’ve looked at the problem a bit differently.”