PEP GUARDIOLA THINKS Kyle Walker could have several more years at the top – but will allow him to leave Manchester City.
Walker was left out of City’s matchday squad for Saturday’s 8-0 FA Cup demolition of League Two Salford after expressing a desire to explore options abroad.
The 34-year-old right-back has been a key part of Guardiola’s all-conquering side since his move from Tottenham in 2017, helping the club win 17 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
But his form of late has been inconsistent and his request comes after a spell out of the team, having not started since the derby loss to Manchester United on 15 December.
Guardiola would back him to rediscover his best, but similarly will not stand in his way.
The City manager said: “He is an incredible player with his incredible physicality. When he is focused he is unstoppable as a right-back. He’s a top-class player.
“If he is fit he can play one, two, three, four more years as a professional. I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career.
“But if he wants to explore (other options), the club is going to explore, and he has to decide, not me. It’s not my decision.”
Walker is currently the City captain having taken over from Ilkay Gundogan when the German left after the 2023 treble success.
He has been linked with AC Milan but, as he is contracted until 2026, any deal would have to be sanctioned by City.
It is unclear if that could happen in this month’s transfer window and Guardiola would not comment on whether he may play again whilst his future is unresolved.
“It depends on him,” he said. “The transfer window will finish when it finishes and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
City’s comfortable cup win did see Jack Grealish finally end his long goalscoring drought after winning and converting a penalty against Salford at the Etihad Stadium.
The England international had not found the net in club football since December 2023.
It came just a week after Guardiola had challenged the 29-year-old to show him more after losing his place in the side to summer signing Savinho.
Guardiola said: “Of course, I’m really pleased. I want the best for my players, all of them. I want them to perform well.
“But, at the end, they have to deliver. It’s not only Jack, absolutely not, but I saw him in the year of the treble, for example, when he was a main player for us.
“After that he played less and after that there are two options – think it’s me or think about what you can do better. This is the reality.”
He has to think of his 2 families
@Brian Dunne: Al Nassr O’Clock for ol’ Kyle.
@Brian Dunne: He’ll have a lot more families where he’s going !
Says it all about Walker really club captain, the going finally getting tough at City and looking to leave mid season instead of being the one the player look up to or leading by example. I bet his ego is bruised after Adama Traore, Morgan Rogers and a few more gave him the run around this season and can no longer rely on his speed to bail him out. He’ll need all that Saudi money going by his personal life too.
City could be in League 2 if they are found guilty of the 115 financial charges, Walker the first off a sinking ship maybe…??
@Aidan Farrell: I don’t think he has the capability for that kind of foresight…
Sinking ship Walkers time is done. Ricco Lewis has been preferred this season. Has won everything no major loss but City are in a big rebuild. KDB and Gundogan will be gone too at the end of the season Grealish , Silva and Koavic could be sold along with Grealish and Nunes they will be cut throath. Also they seem to have maybe 2 to 3 coming in this window. Makes me think that City have or won’t have any punishment. No matter who the panel rules in favour there could be a appeal from either side. We are talking about major fraud from major big businesses so hard to prove 100 per cent any wrong doing.