Manchester City right-back, Kyle Walker has had to go through mixed fortunes this season.
Kyle Walker reiterated that he had to go through a reset to win his place back in the team.
He lost his place in the Manchester City’s team since the end of February in the match against Bournemouth, when he came on to play 10 minutes of what’s left in the match.
From February to April, Walker only started in three games out of 11 games in all competitions for City.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of their UCL clash with Madrid on Wednesday, Kyle Walker said:
“Did it hurt? Of course, it did” when asked about Guardiola’s claim of not having the “educated movements” to play the inverted full-back role. John Stones was picked ahead of him.
“I can’t be seated here and tell lies to your face and say it didn’t hurt. Of course, it did, You start to doubt yourself but you have to go back to basics to what you are good at, what he bought you for, and prove him wrong and that is what I have done.”
He added: “I have to react as a professional, he is my manager, my boss, sometimes certain opinions in football, you don’t always agree with, but for what he has done for me and this club in the last six years, has been nothing short of tremendous.”
“I am one of the club captains, I had to make sure my disappointment wasn’t glaring on the team.”
However, injuries in defense and Guardiola’s tinkering have made Walker earn his place back.
He’s been doing great since coming back, with Pep Guardiola going on to label his performance in the 1-1 draw of the first leg of the semi-final clash with Real Madrid as “exceptional”.
Walker looks set to start in the return leg in Manchester and will yet again come up against the lightning-quick Vinicius Jr.
Triumph over Real Madrid would leave City just three wins shy from a historic treble, a feat achieved in English football only by the Manchester United Class of ’99.
Who is Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker is an English professional footballer that plays as a right-back for Manchester City and the England national team. He was born on 28 May 1990 in Sheffield, England.
Kyle Walker’s Club career
Walker started his professional career with Sheffield United in 2008.
Walker left the club in 2009 and joined Tottenham Hotspur. He made his debut for Spurs on 27th March 2010 against Portsmouth.
The English defender only grew from strength to strength after that and became a vital piece for Spurs.
In the summer of 2017, he was acquired by Manchester City in one of the most expensive inter-club deals in England.
He’s gone on to win several trophies for the Manchester club including 4 PL titles, four EFL Cups, and an FA Cup.
Kyle Walker’s International career
He made his senior debut in the 2011/12 season, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Spain.
Kyle Walker has also represented England at UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Is Kyle Walker married?
Kyle Walker got married to Annie Kilner in November 2021 after the football star proposed to her with a £250,000 engagement ring. They have been in a relationship since 2010.
Does Kyle Walker have children?
Kyle Walker has 4 children. He has 3 with his wife Annie Kilner. He has a 4th child with Lauryn Goodman in 2020, after he split with his ex-wife in 2019.
Kyle Walker’s net worth
Kyle Walker’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 million.
