Over the years, England have produced some brilliant defenders. Bobby Moore is perhaps the most iconic, while more recent players like Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were all among the best on the planet during their prime years.

The Three Lions could have used some legends like that in the backline at the 2026 World Cup, as Thomas Tuchel’s men were knocked out by Argentina, losing 2-1 in the semi-finals. Indeed, injury issues in particular meant the fullback area was weaker than anticipated.

The likes of Reece James and Tino Livramento both suffered injuries which kept them from playing at right-back, while Jarell Quansah picked up a red card, which saw him miss the quarter-final win vs Norway and the Argentina defeat. In light of all this, one former England defender has admitted he now regrets retiring from international duty when he did.

Kyle Walker Regrets England Retirement Before World Cup

For over a decade, Kyle Walker was a key part of the England set-up. He was capped 96 times, scoring one goal and picking up 10 assists. At Euro 2020, he was named in the Team of the Tournament as the Three Lions made it to their first final in a major tournament since 1966. He was also vice-captain of the Euro 2024 team, which once again made it to the final but lost.

In March 2026, however, Walker announced his retirement from international football. This meant he would not play at the 2026 World Cup, but he has now expressed regret over his decision to call it quits early.

Explaining how he might have had a chance to play for his country one last time at the summer tournament, he told TalkSport:

Walker revealed that he was frustrated by Tuchel’s lack of an explanation when he stopped getting call-ups to the team. Although the German initially phoned him to confirm he had been dropped, he didn’t make any further contact as the right-back realised he was going to fall four caps short of the 100-game mark.

“You dedicate a lot of your summers,” Walker began. “I started in 2010. That’s 16 summers I gave up, rightly so, for my country. And I wanted to do that because that’s the pinnacle of a footballer’s career. But I feel a conversation would have been good.

“Not after the first time because he (Tuchel) phoned me, which is fair play to him, and said I wouldn’t be in the squad. The second time, I don’t deserve a conversation, he already spoke to me.

“But after the third or fourth one and it’s getting closer to the tournament, I think that someone should have picked up the phone to me and just had an explanation of why I’m not getting these caps. Especially getting to 100 and being so close.”

Walker Dubbed ‘One of the Greatest’

Walker had a brilliant top-flight career, playing for the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa before enjoying his best years at Manchester City. Under Pep Guardiola, he won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the League Cup on four occasions.

Having shone for so long at the Etihad, Guardiola would laud the defender as ‘​one of the greatest full-backs ever’. When the Catalan coach was asked if Walker deserved to be compared with the very best full-backs to have played the game, he agreed, adding:

“Absolutely, one of the greatest full-backs ever. You have to control that side with wingers, I slept like a baby before games with Kyle there. He can handle top, top-class wingers in the world. “We always tried to help him with the ball to read a situation and he was a better player than maybe he thought. My target from day one was, ‘You are good, Kyle, with your long balls and the quality of your pass and everything’. He was an incredible right-back.”

Although Walker left City in 2025 and was past his peak by the time the 2026 World Cup came around, his experience may well have been useful for England at the summer tournament. At the very least, on a personal level, Walker may well have made it to 100 caps had he decided not to hang up his boots months before the competition began.

Tottenham Hotspur star Djed Spence wants to join Liverpool this summer as Andoni Iraola considers a move for the right-back.

Spurs have had a busy summer transfer window so far with six new arrivals, including defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, while Pedro Porro has also signed a new long-term contract with the north London side.

That has seen Spence’s future called into question, and Liverpool are understood to be exploring additions to their defence for their new manager, having lost Robertson and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers, and with Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley all dealing with injury issues.

Spence Wants Anfield Move

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

According to a report by Anfield Sector, Liverpool have an interest in the England international as Iraola has defensive concerns around his current right-back options.

Spence is believed to be extremely receptive to the idea of a move to Liverpool, but the Reds are also considering a host of other names for their defence, as they look to add to their squad in the final weeks of the window.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a fine individual season in 2025/26 for Tottenham as he helped them to avoid relegation, before shining at the World Cup for England as the Three Lions finished third, with Spence one of the standout performers.

Liverpool are currently prioritising strengthening their attack, with PSG star Bradley Barcola understood to be the top target. GIVEMESPORT sources understand that initial talks have been held over a deal, and the winger has already given his green light to a switch to Anfield, although no deal has been agreed at this stage.

The Reds are also eyeing a move for Ibrahim Mbaye, Barcola’s PSG teammate, and have moved ahead of Bayer Leverkusen in the race for his signature. Victor Munoz has already joined from Osasuna, but is the only first-team signing of this window, not including Jeremy Jacquet, who agreed his move in January.

‘Frightening’ Spence Perfect for Liverpool

via Reuters

With Liverpool have some issues at full-back, Spence’s ability to play on both sides at a high level would be a huge boost for the club. Spurs are understood to be open to letting him leave for around £35m, which makes a deal relatively easy to do.

Spence’s rise to prominence has been very impressive, and even saw him earn praise from England legend David Seaman.

“He’s got better and better,” said Seaman on his YouTube podcast.

“When I first saw him, when he first came in… he was a bit like when Kolo Toure came to Arsenal. He was like the schoolboy in the playground, just followed the ball everywhere, and Djed was getting like caught out of position quite a bit, but now he’s like (much better).

While Liverpool’s interest is well reported, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast that he hasn’t heard of anything between the two parties at this stage.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 07/08/2026.

Ben Jacobs has named Newcastle United as one of three Premier League clubs considering making a move for Chelsea striker Liam Delap.

The English frontman had been on the Magpies’ radar last summer but opted to head to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich Town. The Blues triggered the £30 million release clause in his contract to sign a player who had been tipped to become the next Harry Kane.

Delap has failed to live up to expectations in West London, managing one goal in 28 league outings last season. As such, Xabi Alonso appears to be prepared to sell the 23-year-old this summer.

Newcastle are preparing for a new era at St James’ Park following the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as Eddie Howe’s replacement. The German coach is tasked with dealing with three high-profile exits as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have all departed.

Liam Delap Back on Newcastle’s Radar

While Newcastle will inevitably need to address their midfield and replace Guimaraes, they could be looking to bolster their frontline. A 12th-placed finish last season came amidst new signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa’s struggles in front of goal.

According to Jacobs, the Tyneside outfit are weighing up a move for Delap although they could face competition from two Premier League rivals. GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent wrote on X:

Chelsea may be looking to offload Delap as Joao Pedro seems certain to be Alonso’s starting striker in the upcoming season. The Blues have also signed Dutch frontman Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and he is likely to play second fiddle to Pedro.

Newcastle transfer targets:

While there’s no mention of how much the west London outfit are demanding for Delap, they have a habit of making a profit on players who underperform. Newcastle’s decision-makers will no doubt be factoring in his disastrous debut season should they step up their interest and look to negotiate a deal.

St James’ Park is Ideal Destination For Delap

Delap may be eager to put his Stamford Bridge nightmare behind him and get his career back on track and a move to St James’ Park will be extremely appealing. There is a golden opportunity for the Englishman to make the number nine starting berth his own if he can rediscover his Ipswich form.

A torrid spell at Chelsea tarnished his reputation, and before he made that move he was one of the most exciting forwards in English football. He bagged 12 goals in 37 league games for the Tractor Boys, and his impressive exploits didn’t go unnoticed by Newcastle’s higher-ups.

Howe had also taken a liking to Delap and made that clear during a press conference ahead of meeting Delap and Ipswich back in the 2024-25 campaign:

Stats courtesy of StatMuse – correct as of 07/08/2026

Delap would likely be battling it out with Woltemade to lead the line in Jaissle’s attack. The German striker could be the biggest benefactor of his fellow countryman’s arrival, but he definitely has to improve on the goalscoring front.