Jose Mourinho has claimed that Kyle Walker was an “absolute animal” for England after naming him his Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020.
Walker, 31, was in stunning form for England at this summer’s Euros as the Three Lions reached their first major international final since the 1966 World Cup.
The Manchester City right-back only missed one match at Euro 2020 after he was left out of the squad in England’s 0-0 draw against Scotland at Wembley.
Walker started in the final against Italy on Sunday and played the full 90 minutes and the majority of extra time before he was withdrawn for Jadon Sancho ahead of penalties.
However, Sancho, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford all missed from the spot-kick as Italy secured a sensational win over England in their nerve-racking penalty shootout.
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Despite England’s Euro 2020 heartbreak, Mourinho hailed England star Walker as “phenomenal” for his performances at the Euros.
The 58-year-old Roma manager claimed Walker is the type of footballer he would call an “animal,” saying that it is the “best compliment I can do to a player.”
👏 “My player of the tournament was Kyle Walker. Phenomenal.”
😍 “When I call a player an ‘animal’ it’s the best compliment I can do.”
🔥 “Kyle Walker, absolute animal! From the first to the last minute of the Euros.”
José Mourinho lauds the performances of #ENG’s @KyleWalker2 pic.twitter.com/AT9SWwTZYZ
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 12, 2021
Mourinho told talkSPORT: “I think Kyle Walker was phenomenal.
“From the first minute of the competition until the moment he came off in the final, he was phenomenal.
“He was giving cover to centre-backs on the opposite side. I don’t remember him losing one single duel. He didn’t go forward as much as he does in the club because of a strategy point of view.
“When I call a player an animal, it is the best compliment I can do to a player. Kyle Walker — an absolute animal.
“For me, phenomenal. From the first to the last minute, he was in that element.”
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| Credit: PA |
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| Credit: PA |
Sancho, Saka and Rashford were targeted with horrific racist abuse on social media after they failed to score from the spot-kick.
The Football Association condemned the behaviour directed to the England trio by insisting that the attacks were “disgusting” and those behind the messages were not “welcome in following the team.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Roy Keane brutally slammed two England stars for not stepping up to take a penalty ahead of Saka.
Featured Image Credit: PA/talkSPORT