Chopper2115
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 6 May 2022
- Messages
- 576
- Team supported
- Manchester City
You know what you are right tbh, he doesn’t help himself at all but it’s the clubs fault he’s here not Walker’s.
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2 | Kyle Walker - 2024/25
- Thread starter Middedon
- Start date
Opinions, Walker was a great player and never let us down on the pitch and that's all that is important.You know what you are right tbh, he doesn’t help himself at all but it’s the clubs fault he’s here not Walker’s.
But was is the issue, he is a weak link now and it's been an issue for 12/18 months now, this is not a sudden loss of form, he was poor also for England in the Euros and I am amazed he is still getting picked at 34.
If he's not the best right-back in the club's history then he's definitely the most successful. The way some people talk about him is absolutely nuts. "He'd be playing for Oldham if he didn't have pace", Jesus man you are kidding yourself on. This is someone who was genuinely feared across Europe by teams like Madrid, Bayern, PSG, etc. for years because he completely shut his wingers out of massive games time and time again. Mbappe, Vinicius, the list goes on.
Sure, he's a fool off the pitch, but he's always been a fool and it hasn't affected his form for City at all during the seven years he's been here. What is affecting his form is age (and fitness) - the bare facts are that he's 34 now. But the thing is, he's allowed to be 34. A lot like Gundogan at the moment, if our other options for Walker's position were in a better place in terms of fitness and quality he wouldn't be getting hung out to dry like he currently is.
There's a reason all the other lads in the squad elected him as captain and it comes down to that night in Istanbul. Left out of the starting XI for very obvious tactical reasons, he didn't kick up a fuss. Not starting the biggest game of your life - the occasion you've worked your whole career for - must have crushed him. But instead of sulking he gathered the boys round him in the dressing room and said "My dream is in your hands, go out there and get it".
We don't owe him anything, and bad performances are fine to be called out, but as always with this place the criticism is way over the top. Instead of just coming to the conclusion that he's not up to being a top-level right-back anymore, some people just have to start dismissing his achievements, saying he was never any good in the first place, saying that only pace has "bailed him out". Do you people not hear yourselves? Do you know who you're on about?
When we were shite, the constant rallying cry from the supporters was "We just want the lads to go out there and give 100%". Who can honestly say without a shred of doubt that Walker hasn't given 100% in a City shirt? He's played over 300 games for us and has won 17 trophies in the process. Yet another player in the current era who achieved more than the hundreds of players we had in the 70s, 80s, and 90s combined but is being spoken about like he's Danny Mills.
Sure, he's a fool off the pitch, but he's always been a fool and it hasn't affected his form for City at all during the seven years he's been here. What is affecting his form is age (and fitness) - the bare facts are that he's 34 now. But the thing is, he's allowed to be 34. A lot like Gundogan at the moment, if our other options for Walker's position were in a better place in terms of fitness and quality he wouldn't be getting hung out to dry like he currently is.
There's a reason all the other lads in the squad elected him as captain and it comes down to that night in Istanbul. Left out of the starting XI for very obvious tactical reasons, he didn't kick up a fuss. Not starting the biggest game of your life - the occasion you've worked your whole career for - must have crushed him. But instead of sulking he gathered the boys round him in the dressing room and said "My dream is in your hands, go out there and get it".
We don't owe him anything, and bad performances are fine to be called out, but as always with this place the criticism is way over the top. Instead of just coming to the conclusion that he's not up to being a top-level right-back anymore, some people just have to start dismissing his achievements, saying he was never any good in the first place, saying that only pace has "bailed him out". Do you people not hear yourselves? Do you know who you're on about?
When we were shite, the constant rallying cry from the supporters was "We just want the lads to go out there and give 100%". Who can honestly say without a shred of doubt that Walker hasn't given 100% in a City shirt? He's played over 300 games for us and has won 17 trophies in the process. Yet another player in the current era who achieved more than the hundreds of players we had in the 70s, 80s, and 90s combined but is being spoken about like he's Danny Mills.
My gut feeling is he's finished at the top level. Pace is faltering and he's losing a bit of positional sense. Off the field shite cannot have helped either. However, he's been fabulous for us with some outstanding performances and there'll be one or two more of them before he departs. We were in desperate need of a RB when he signed so job done. I think that time has arrived again.
HelloCity
Well-Known Member
People laughed at me back when I said if Walker didn't have pace, he'd be playing for Oldham Athletic.
That’s because it’s utter bollocks.
You don’t get to where Walker has just by being fast, otherwise you could just plonk Usain Bolt in defence.
He’s one of the best signings of the Mansour era in terms of value for money and consistency and he’s held his position for so long despite competition failing to surpass him long term - Danilo, Cancelo.
Clearly, he’s approaching the end at the very top level but that’s completely normal. He’s 35 at the end the season and we’ve seen even the likes of Yaya and Silva drop off as they got to that age.
For me, he’ll go down as the best full back I’ve seen play for City….although if Gvardiol carries on, that record might not last long!
I agree with your points, he's had an amazing career and will go down as one of the best right backs in Premier League history. But you should have read my post in its entirety, rather than just the first sentence.That’s because it’s utter bollocks.
You don’t get to where Walker has just by being fast, otherwise you could just plonk Usain Bolt in defence.
He’s one of the best signings of the Mansour era in terms of value for money and consistency and he’s held his position for so long despite competition failing to surpass him long term - Danilo, Cancelo.
Clearly, he’s approaching the end at the very top level but that’s completely normal. He’s 35 at the end the season and we’ve seen even the likes of Yaya and Silva drop off as they got to that age.
For me, he’ll go down as the best full back I’ve seen play for City….although if Gvardiol carries on, that record might not last long!
The Premier League is built for players that excel in aspects such as pace, athleticism and physicality due to the sheer intensity of this league. So this league emphasises the severity at which these attributes compensate for decision making, technique and IQ.
Last edited:
ninjamonkey
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2009
- Messages
- 18,569
Same with grealish, he needs to withdraw from this. he's walking wounded after picking up an injury last international camp and now hes going on international duty again without ever being fit for us?
He's 34 and captain of the club, he should have ruled himself out of selection before he was picked. Look at kdb who made that decision last month. That's the example he should be setting or at least following.
Rico and foden are the only English lads who should be going.
He's 34 and captain of the club, he should have ruled himself out of selection before he was picked. Look at kdb who made that decision last month. That's the example he should be setting or at least following.
Rico and foden are the only English lads who should be going.
100% in agreement.That’s because it’s utter bollocks.
You don’t get to where Walker has just by being fast, otherwise you could just plonk Usain Bolt in defence.
He’s one of the best signings of the Mansour era in terms of value for money and consistency and he’s held his position for so long despite competition failing to surpass him long term - Danilo, Cancelo.
Clearly, he’s approaching the end at the very top level but that’s completely normal. He’s 35 at the end the season and we’ve seen even the likes of Yaya and Silva drop off as they got to that age.
For me, he’ll go down as the best full back I’ve seen play for City….although if Gvardiol carries on, that record might not last long!