As 2018 draws to a close, we’ll be hearing from some of the England squad on what their highlights of the year were.
And for Three Lions and Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, seeing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford make a crucial save in the World Cup ranks as one of his best moments.
It was during the penalty shootout against Colombia in the first knockout game of the competition, when Pickford produced an outstanding stop to deny Carlos Bacca’s spot-kick and set up Eric Dier for what turned out to be the winning penalty and a first World Cup shootout success for England.
“It gave me goose bumps when Picks saved the penalty, looking back at it,” admits Walker.
“When Picks does something well, he says: ‘Send the huskies in!’
“I don’t know what it means, but he said it after that penalty save.
“It was just a great tournament from start to finish with the connections we made, not just on the pitch but with everyone. It was great to be a part of it and it was just the start of bigger and things to come from this team.
“For me, it was great to help put a smile back and fall back in love with England. That was the biggest thing I took from the World Cup, getting the fans and the nation back in love with football.”
Does Walker get your vote for the England Men’s Senior player of the year in 2018? Voting is now underway for members of the England Supporters Club, which is FREE to join.