Walker admits ‘sex party’ shame after being handed second chance by Southgate

Kyle Walker admitted he made “bad decisions” and praised Gareth Southgate for giving him a second chance.

Manchester City defender Walker broke lockdown three times and hosted a sex party during the global pandemic which left doubts over whether he would get an England recall.

But England boss Southgate had a heart-to-heart with the defender which has now led to a reprieve and he is now dreaming of reaching the 50 cap milestone.

Walker, 30, who is on 48 caps, said: “I reflect on, you know, my decision making.

“It was bad decisions from me at an important time for the country and the world.

“Obviously me and the boss spoke after the lockdown incidents and, you know, he assured me that we all make mistakes.

“Obviously, mine was on a bigger scale and gets magnified with me being in the public eye and a role model to young children growing up, so I have to take full responsibility for my actions, which I have done.

“But now I’m just moving on. I’m so happy to be here. It’s lovely to see some of the lads again that you don’t get to see so regular.

“I take full responsibility for it but I’m moving on now.

“I think I came back from the lockdown with Manchester City and hit the ground running, played some really good football.

“Hopefully I can continue that in an England shirt.”

Walker was a mainstay of England’s World Cup squad in 2018, being a key part of the defence but his demise was quite sudden and he was left out in the cold for nearly a year.

But the versatile defender admits while he was disappointed, he never gave up and did not blame Southgate for leaving him out.

Walker added: “I can remember the first squad that I missed out in and you’re kind of thinking I’m gutted but I spent a lot of time away from home and away from the kids and the family.

“I kind of thought – and this is me being honest – it’s probably a well-deserved break, it’s a little bit of time.

“The gaffer rung me up and he said that he wanted to look at the youngsters coming through, so I kind of just took a seat back and kind of thought ‘OK,  well, the next squad I’ll be back in’.

“But, rightly so, I wasn’t in the team because they played well when they got the chance and that’s what I think it should be on: it should be on merit and if you perform well for England, you should keep the shirt.

“So, I didn’t think I’d be waiting a year but I feel that the gaffer has made the right decisions because I feel that the team has gone from strength to strength.

“And just hopefully now I can add to that with my experience and hopefully something that I bring to the game.”

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