Kyle Walker has been the best player at Euro 2016 so far, says Paul Merson

By Lewis Jones

Tuesday 21 June 2016 02:32, UK

Kyle Walker has been the best player at Euro 2016 so far but it’s a good move to rest him, according to Paul Merson.

Walker has started both of England's games so far - against Russia and Wales - the Tottenham defender has been rested in favour of Nathaniel Clyne on Tuesday night.

The omission is one of six Hodgson made for the Slovakia tie, with England aiming to top Group B at Euro 2016.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Merson said: "I don't blame Roy Hodgson for this one bit - it's a good move to give players a rest, especially Kyle Walker - my god - he's been the best player at the tournament so far. He's been absolutely phenomenal.

"I think you need to rest players - France did it against Albania. They left Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann on the bench.

"It's very rare a team gets out in the papers, and it's not the team.

"Whoever goes onto win the tournament isn't going to play the same eleven players throughout the tournament - it's a squad of 22. Our squad is quite level all the way through.

"We're not one of those squads where if the first eleven don't play then the others coming in are weaker. Daniel Sturridge would play for any team in this European Championships - he's that good."

If England beat Slovakia and finish top of the group - or even draw to finish top depending on Wales' result against Russia - the Three Lions will face a third-placed team in the round of 16 and secure an easier passage to the later stages.

Should Wales usurp Hodgson's side, England may face a quarter-final tie against France in Paris - something which is keen to be avoided at all costs.

"If we win our group we're going to play a team that finished third, who can't be that good," Merson added.

"You then get the quarters and after that you've got to get lucky. I've been watching all the games and I've got a funny feeling something special could happen."