Burnley defender Kyle Walker has revealed he once had the opportunity to join Chelsea before sealing his move to Manchester City, offering fresh insight into a pivotal moment in his career.
The 35-year-old right-back, now playing for Burnley, said the London club were among those interested in signing him during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, prior to his high-profile transfer to City in 2017.
Walker ultimately opted to join Manchester City in a deal worth around £45 million, a move that proved transformative as he went on to win multiple major honours, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Reflecting on his career in recent interviews, Walker indicated that while CHELSEA presented a serious option, the project at City under then-manager Pep Guardiola was decisive in shaping his choice
Walker told The Overlap that he was in discussions with the Blues over a potential move, however decided that because he was coming from Tottenham he couldn’t make the controversial switch across London.
He said: “Yeah, Marina, Yeah, I was speaking to her, but I couldn’t have gone there. I couldn’t have gone there because of the Tottenham-Chelsea thing. So I wouldn’t have gone there. So the only option was Manchester City.”
His comments have reignited discussion over how close Chelsea came to signing a player who would go on to become one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. At the time, CHELSEA were competing at the top of English football, but Walker’s move to City coincided with the beginning of a period of sustained domestic dominance for the Manchester club.
Walker spent eight years at City, making over 300 appearances and playing a central role in one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. His pace, defensive reliability and tactical adaptability made him a key component of Guardiola’s system.
After leaving City in 2025, following a loan spell at AC Milan, Walker joined Burnley on a two-year deal as the newly promoted side sought to add experience to their squad.
The veteran defender has since spoken openly about the various turning points in his career, with his latest remarks shedding light on how different his trajectory might have been had he chosen Stamford Bridge instead of the Etihad.
While it is impossible to know how Walker’s career would have unfolded at CHELSEA, his success at Manchester City suggests he made the right decision. His trophy haul and consistent performances at the highest level have cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s standout full-backs of the modern era.
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