West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, left, and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker battle for the ball during a English Premier League soccer match at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that he won’t stand in the way of defender Kyle Walker if he wants to leave the club. There are rumours that the talented right back could join the MLS, AC Milan or the Saudi Pro League.
“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, the club is going to explore, and he has to decide, not me. It’s not my decision,” Guardiola said on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Walker has struggled for form in a City team that is 12 points behind league leader Liverpool and recently went on a run of one win in 13 games.
He has won 15 major trophies since joining the club from Tottenham in 2017 and established himself as one of the best right backs in Premier League history.
Guardiola said the England international had asked to leave two years ago and that he has expressed that desire again.
The transfer window opened at the start of the month and will close Feb. 3.
In their FA Cup tie on Saturday, City showed no mercy against neighbor Salford, which is co-owned by Manchester United icons David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
Despite resting a number of star players, Guardiola’s four-time defending Premier League champion was rampant at Etihad Stadium, with rising talent James McAtee hitting a second half hat trick. City prospects Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly also made the score sheet.
“They were incredible — commitment, aggressive — there were so many things that I liked,” Guardiola said. “With everyone (there) was respect. You cannot win by that margin if you don’t respect the opponent.”
Jack Grealish was also on target for City, scoring his first goal for the club in 38 games. His last goal for City was in December 2023.
(With agency inputs)
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