Kyle Walker’s Manchester City career came to an end last week as the defender completed a move to Burnley.
Walker has joined Burnley as part of a deal that could see Man City receive £5m if all the conditions in his contract are met, while £10m will also be saved by simply taking the right-back off the payroll at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City fans feel it was the right time for Walker to go, as Father Time has caught up with the 35-year-old over the last year, but that should not take away from the incredible eight years the Englishman spent in Manchester.
Scott Parker would have wanted the Man City legend at Burnley due to the Premier League experience he has, but the English coach has now revealed the real reason he made a move for the defender.
Kyle Walker in action during Liverpool v Manchester City.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Kyle Walker is ready for a challenge at Burnley
Parker holds Walker in high regard after playing with the full-back at Tottenham, but it was recent conversations he had with the 35-year-old that prompted him to bring the defender to Burnley once it became clear that his time at Man City was up.
“It was a few conversations over the summer, really. And probably, you know, from the outset when we were engaging in conversation, I played with Kyle as Kyle was a young player at Spurs, and obviously, I was at the other end of my career,” Parker told Sky Sports about Walker.
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“I see his talent and certainly, what he’s gone on to achieve is nothing short of remarkable, really, and fully deserved.
“I think, like anything, when there’s an opportunity for someone of Kyle’s quality and ability, and we’re in a race for that, it was one that excited me, for sure.
“I think the biggest thing that I could say to Kyle is that when I was speaking to him, the challenge is what he speaks about.
“And this is a guy who, every season, has had a challenge. That challenge is probably different now, but the feeling he gives me, and I know him, is that it’s a challenge he’s absolutely relishing and different challenges, but I think what gets this human being up every morning is knowing that there’s a challenge ahead.
“There’s no doubt Kyle could have had other opportunities, for sure he could have, but I think the challenge of this next thing for him is what gets him out of bed. It is one he’s going to engage with, it’s one he’s going to drive with, one he’s going to push every ounce of himself to try and be successful this year.”
Burnley will certainly find it difficult to remain in the Premier League, and although Walker is past his best, the move to Turf Moor is likely to give the Englishman a new lease of life.
It was the right time for Kyle Walker to leave Man City
Walker’s move to Burnley was best for all parties involved, as Man City get an unwanted player off the books, the Clarets get a player with top Premier League experience, and the right-back has a new challenge in front of him in a team that will suit the Englishman at his age.
The 35-year-old will not be expected to get up and down the pitch at Burnley like he was required to do for eight years at City, and Parker’s more pragmatic style plays into the right-back’s defensive qualities.
It would not be a surprise if Walker shone at Turf Moor during the upcoming season, but that should not lead Man City fans to think their club made a mistake.
The 35-year-old’s time at the Etihad Stadium came to a natural end, and now Man City have the task of finding a right-back that can be as successful as the club legend over the next five years.