2 | Kyle Walker - 2024/25

[Franny 1234]

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.

Agree with every word Bob. Very good input.

 

[Craig]

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!

Would rather have Zabba in his prime personally as he was a miles better actual footballer, link play with the likes of Siva etc. Maybe my judgement is slightly clouded though because i liked Zabba and he didn’t come across as a fucking idiot.

Credit where it’s due though he’s been a fantastic fullback for us and in the style we’ve played under Pep we couldn’t have had anyone more suited to give us the cover he has against counter attacks.

 

[AshtonBlueMooner]

Kyle doesn’t want to engage anymore. 4 or 5 times when he stood off his player and invited a cross, which has then come in. Leaving us in dangerous positions. Legs are on the way out. Sad to see.

 

[Mr HJ]

I hate to say this about one of our players but he is an absolute disgrace - I get that he is getting on a bit but to not have the experience and knowledge to re-invent his game is bad - I remember him saying in the summer he feels like he's still 26 well he's played this year like he's 46. The sad thing is Pep cannot or will not see it.

 

[Gigant]

 

[Haaland94]

Take whatever the Saudis want to pay us in January.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Finished.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Shite and hopefully won't put the shirt on again

But just to be clear, he's the captain of the club

 

[Mr HJ]

I'm actually really angry at that second half performance from our leader and one of the most experience defenders in the league. He was shouting at a kid in the middle and a kid on the wing Savinho to track back and cover the single forward that he was meant to mark. I dislike him as an individual and now after probably 6 top seasons with us I despise him as a player

 

[skillman]

Stealing a fucking living. And he’s captain!

No wonder the team don’t exactly seem invigorated with his as their ‘leader’.

Mistake after mistake after mistake defensively.

I was buzzing when he signed a new deal. In hindsight we should’ve snapped Bayern’s hands off.