Walton: We Can Go There and Frustrate City
Friday, 16th Oct 2026 17:26 by Kallum Brisset
Town goalkeeper Christian Walton believes the Blues can frustrate Manchester City ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium.
City have won all six Premier League matches so far this season to lead the way at the top of the table, but were beaten by defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League thriller on Wednesday evening.
After an encouraging start under new manager Gary O’Neil, Town sit 10th in the standings having won three of their league matches, including last weekend’s late comeback victory over struggling Fulham at Portman Road.
Walton is under no illusion at the scale of the task that the Blues face against Enzo Maresca’s side, but says there will be no fear going into a meeting with the eight-time Premier League champions.
“We have to enjoy the challenge,” he said. “It’s a different challenge, but it’s one you want to test yourself in. I think we can go there and put on a really good performance and frustrate Man City.
“It’s going to be a good challenge, but you know that when you get up into the Premier League that that game’s going to come about. It’s one I think we’ve got to enjoy.
“Full of belief they’ll be coming up against a good Ipswich team. We have to go there with full belief and the full squad is raring to go. Whoever’s selected will be ready to put on a performance and do their job.
“It’s one that I’ve looked forward to every season we’ve been in the Premier League. It’s Man City away, it’s a good test for us all and we’re looking forward to it tomorrow.”
The Citizens have a wealth of attacking talent throughout their richly assembled squad, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández all being added since the teams last met only 18 months ago.
By far the standout name though remains record-breaking striker Erling Haaland, who has scored in each of his last seven City matches and has four goals in just two appearances against Town.
Asked what separates the Norwegian from other top forwards, Walton said: “Scoring lots of goals! Obviously he’s outstanding, he’s done it year-on-year. There were probably a few questions of will he do it in the Premier League, I think he’s blown that out of the water.
“Scoring every type of goal like he does, I think that probably separates him from others. He’s an outstanding player.
“It’s not just Erling Haaland, it’s a lot of other players. They’ve got good quality as have every Premier League team. Last week was the same against Fulham, they’ve got top players. It’s every week being ready for top opposition.”
At the other end of the pitch, Walton’s opposite number is set to be Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has won a total of 14 trophies for club and country.
Walton said: “He is one of the best in the world. He’s been unbelievable, started his career at a really young age and played a lot of games. He’s a phenomenal keeper and one that’s done extremely well.”
In his career to date, Walton has made a total of nine Premier League appearances across both of Town’s recent seasons in the top flight.
While he never got on the pitch, the Blues custodian’s first involvement in a matchday squad at the highest level came at the Etihad Stadium when he was named on the bench for former side Brighton and Hove Albion.
“I believe it was Covid time,” he recalled. “I wasn’t due to be in the squad that game. I think we had a few illnesses with Covid, so it meant I stepped up.
“It was good to experience the Etihad, obviously without fans, but going against the best players in the world. It was a good experience, obviously I didn’t play but to see that level was good.”
Town’s last meeting with City came during a 6-0 hammering on home soil in January 2025, an afternoon that Walton quickly wanted to forget.
The 30-year-old said: “It’s obviously difficult when you do concede a lot of goals. It was just one of those games, bouncing back onto the next game, trying to park that last previous game and doing everything you can for the next one.
“Everyone has those games in their career. Unfortunately for me, I got injured in the next game but it was obviously not a nice afternoon, but you have them as a goal at times.”
This time around, there is plenty of external narrative heading into what is likely to be more than just an ordinary game for the home side.
The Blues’ visit will mark City’s first league game at the Etihad since the club was found guilty of serious financial breaches by the Premier League over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.
It has been ruled that the club disguised owner funding as sponsorship payments, described as ‘sham’ contracts, resulting in inflated revenue of an estimated £900m in order to circumvent the league’s spending restrictions.
City, who are majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, continue to deny all wrongdoing and have submitted an appeal.
Asked if he was expecting a different atmosphere, Walton said: “I wouldn’t know, to be honest. I think there is a lot of noise around it, but it’s just another game and we’re playing Man City, who are an extremely talented team. That’s what we’re focusing on.
“I think ignoring it. It doesn’t make a difference to our game and it’s not going to make a difference to them. We’re going up against a good Man City team and they’re coming up against a good Ipswich team. It doesn’t really make a difference to us.
“I’ve probably just read about it on the news and seen it on TV, but I’ve not got an opinion on it. Going into this game, it means nothing and I don’t think my opinion matters.”
On whether it has been discussed in the dressing room, Walton added: “Briefly, but everyone’s opinion will be different. There’s been none of that this week, it’s more just focusing on the game.”
Suffolk’s sporting interest on Saturday will not end when the final whistle blows in Manchester, with Ipswich-born boxer Fabio Wardley set for a rematch with Daniel Dubois at the O2 Arena in London.
“I will be watching it when I get home,” Walton said. “It’s obviously massive for him and I think we’re all looking forward to it and hopefully he performs really well and does well.”
_Photo: Action Images via Reuters_