Kyle Walker has called on Bukayo Saka to become England's World Cup hero, insisting the team needs more than just Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to win the tournament. Speaking after England's 2-0 victory over Panama in New York, the former Manchester City defender said the Arsenal winger is poised to take on a leading role.
England top Group L despite slow start
Thomas Tuchel's side secured top spot in Group L with seven points from nine, following a 2-0 win against Panama on Saturday night. Goals from Bellingham and Kane broke Panama's resistance after over an hour of frustration. Bellingham opened the scoring with a neat finish from Bukayo Saka's corner, then turned provider as Kane met his cross to head home. The result avenged England's 6-1 thrashing of Panama in Qatar four years ago.
Walker: 'Other players need to step up'
Walker, who earned 96 caps for England and now plays for Burnley, told The Sun: 'You need players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to be firing on all cylinders for England to do well at the World Cup. Bellingham is looking very good and Harry is doing what Harry does. Jude was probably the best player against Panama, and drove them forward in the second half. Meanwhile Harry got a standard Harry Kane goal.'
'These players need to perform, of course they do, but you need others to step up as well. And I feel Bukayo Saka is going to come into it now. Against Panama those were his first proper minutes from the start, getting up to the rhythm of the game. He is an incredible player and in the last few seasons has been nothing short of brilliant despite his injuries.'
Walker added: 'Saka is one of the more senior members of the team and he has to take games by the scruff of the neck like Jude and Harry do. We can't just lean on certain players either, everyone needs to chip in. Everyone needs to up it now another five or ten percent because the opponents are getting better.'
Knockout stage awaits against DR Congo
England will face DR Congo in the round of 32 on Wednesday night. DR Congo finished third in Group K after beating Uzbekistan, drawing with Portugal, and losing to Colombia. Walker emphasized the importance of the knockout phase: 'Knockout football is when it really matters. You can't win a tournament in a group stage, but you can lose one by going out. You put the shirt on with pride, it's all about the badge, and playing with your heart on your sleeve. But England are going to have to start playing their best football now. Any game in this tournament is going to be a difficult one from here on.'
England opened their campaign with a win over Croatia, then drew with Ghana, before topping the group with the Panama victory. Walker acknowledged the mixed form: 'We got off to a flyer against Croatia, then hit a little stumbling block with the draw in the Ghana game. The Panama performance, though not brilliant, stepped it back up again. We topped the group and that was our main objective.'
