[monks data]

International Friendlies

Mar 23, 2018 at 7.45pm UK

Netherlands
0-1
England

FT(HT: 0-0)

Lingard (59')

Gareth Southgate: 'Kyle Walker comfortable in back three'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 24 March 2018

Southgate: 'Walker comfortable in back three'

Gareth Southgate insists that Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has the ability to slot into a back three for England if required, as he did against the Netherlands.

England boss Gareth Southgate has described Kyle Walker as a "fantastic athlete" following his successful experiment to use the defender as part of a back three against the Netherlands.

The Manchester City ace has built up a reputation as being one of the finest right-backs around, having pushed on at Manchester City following his £50m switch from Tottenham Hotspur last year.

Walker was used on the right side of a three-man backline at the Amsterdam ArenA on Friday night, however, and he impressed in the 1-0 win with his ability to pass the ball out from the back.

Asked about his defensive switch, Southgate told Sky Sports News: "He has the attributes to play the position really well. You need players that are comfortable at defending in wide areas and used to using the ball in those areas.

"He's a fantastic athlete, so he added more pace to our defence. When I see him play for Manchester City, he ends up in that area anyway - we knew his relationship with John Stones is one that is worked on daily, so we knew it would be a strength."

Jesse Lingard scored the only goal of the game in Amsterdam to extend England's unbeaten run to seven matches.