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Kyle Walker and Pep Guardiola
The relationship between Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker became strained towards the end of their time together
At his best, Kyle Walker was one of the few players who made Pep Guardiola's football at Manchester City work. When Vinicius Jr describes you as his toughest ever opponent, you know you must be doing something right.
And for most of his eight years at the Etihad, was certainly doing something right. A £50million signing from Tottenham in 2017, he repaid that fee several times over and was one of the most important players in Guardiola's best teams.
His battles against Vinicius Jr were always box office. Walker's cheat code was his astonishing recovery pace, and few players put it to the test quite as severely as Real Madrid's Brazilian winger.
"Walker, I always say, he’s the best defender I’ve ever faced, and it’s always a very good duel. He respects me a lot, and I respect him a lot," Vinicius Jr said.
Walker was outstanding in 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg win against Real Madrid in May 2023, but then found himself on the bench in Istanbul as Guardiola returned to his tactic of fielding four central defenders. Despite his disappointment, Walker still delivered a stirring pre-match speech to his teammates ahead of the final against Inter Milan.
He praised Guardiola for informing him of his omission the night before the final, saying, "It's the relationship we have." Their union was so strong that Guardiola made Walker captain in the summer of 2024 when he was considering leaving.
Their relationship has become strained over the past 12 months, however. Walker's form fell off a cliff, and he burned bridges at the club. His departure won't be mourned in the way you would have expected, and the way he probably deserved for most of his City career.
Kevin de Bruyne is one of - if not the - greatest players to play for Manchester City.
He leaves the club having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a memorable Champions League victory!
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To mark his amazing time at the Etihad Stadium, this special edition has been produced - KDB The King - to celebrate Kev's career with the Blues. We look back at his 10 best games in Blue, celebrate his title wins and hear from the City boss and a host of team-mates and football elite who give their views on what makes him so special.
His January move to AC Milan was the beginning of the end, and when that spell at the San Siro didn't work out, being left out of the Club World Cup squad signalled that there was no way back. Walker spoke to former Tottenham teammate and now Burnley boss Scott Parker before deciding this was the right move.
"When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at," he said. "He's done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League with a 100-point haul, and now we're looking forward, together, at being back in the greatest league in the world.
"Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can't wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad."
Staying in the Premier League will offer Walker the chance to prove City wrong, but nobody really expects that to happen, at least not to the extent where there is even a hint of regret at the Etihad.
Walker's best days look to be behind him, but his best days were in a City shirt, and for so long, his speed allowed Guardiola to play the way he really wanted. In time, he might have shifted to using four centre backs, but many supporters will associate the most exciting City team of the Guardiola era with a more attacking mindset, which was offset by Walker's stunning recovery speed.
Now, the task is to replace him. Finding another Walker won't be easy, not only in terms of characteristics but value as well. That £50million proved to be a bargain.
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