Kyle Walker has secured a new role for the World Cup following Burnley‘s relegation from the Premier League. The former England defender joined the Clarets in the summer but his presence in the squad wasn’t enough for them to secure top-flight survival. They could still finish bottom of the league on the final day if they are beaten by Wolves at Turf Moor.
While the team prepare for an immediate return to the Championship next season, Walker will be spending his summer watching over the World Cup. That’s because he has joined talkSPORT as a pundit for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He is joined by a handful of big names, including Everton boss David Moyes and former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, one-time World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel, ex-referee Christina Unkel and British rapper and Tottenham fan AJ Tracey are also part of the talkSPORT line-up.
They will join regular pundits Darren Bent, Simon Jordan and Andy Goldstein to run the rule over the biggest World Cup matches.
Confirming his place in the line-up, Walker said: “After playing for England at five major tournaments, I know the pressure and emotion that comes with representing your country on the biggest stage.
“It’ll be great to experience the World Cup from a different perspective this time and share some of those insights with the talkSPORT audience.”
talkSPORT will broadcast a total of 104 matches taking place at the World Cup, with their coverage also available on TikTok and YouTube.
Walker, meanwhile, recently insisted that he will honour his two-year contract at Burnley in spite of their relegation to the Championship.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 35-year-old said: “I still feel good and I’ve got a contract here. I need to warrant the contract. I signed here knowing it would be difficult and knowing there was a possibility of going down.
“I think I’ve made it very clear of my dream of [returning to former club] Sheffield United, but I’m a Burnley player and I have to respect the badge and I have to respect the fans.
“I have to respect my team-mates that I’m here and I will be here for the foreseeable future. I will be here from next season and we will see what we can do from there.
“Do I know what will happen in football? No I don’t. But as a man, I have a contract and I’m going to warrant it.”