Tottenham defender Kyle Walker flattered by comparison to Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos

Kyle Walker , Tottenham Hotspur (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker has been compared to the Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos after impressing at the European Under-21 Championships by the Spanish media.

The right-back, who was on loan at QPR and Aston Villa last season, made the equaliser against Spain’s Under-21s with a blistering run down the right-hand side before his inch-perfect pass set-up Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck, who slotted home.

The 21-year-old appeared to be in a bullish mood after hearing of the comparision.

“Roberto Carlos? It’s a compliment, isn’t it?” Walker told The Daily Mail. “It’s not bad to be put in the same sentence as him!

“I’m impressed but I’ve still got a job to do here. It’s flattering. But there are ten other players on the pitch and we’ve all got jobs to do.

England played out a second successive draw against Ukraine on Wednesday and Walker is optimistic is side can now beat the Czech Republic to advance beyond the group stages.

He added: “There’s a good togetherness and spirit in the team.

“Not every game can go as well you want or plan it to. But hopefully we can improve in the next game and get the three points we need.”

The 21-year-old has had an impressive 2011 which has included playing enough games to earn a Championship winners medal whilst on loan at Loftus Road.

Walker initially started life as a striker at Sheffield United and played up front for England Under-16s before stepping back into defence and hasn’t looked back.

He added: “I like to get forward but my job’s defending. It’s only a bonus going forward.

“I was put to right-back for one game and it just stuck. It’s been four or five years now.”