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Christian Walton hopes that Ipswich Town can 'frustrate' Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (Image: Ross Halls)
Christian Walton hopes that Ipswich Town can 'frustrate' Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town goalkeeper Christian Walton spoke to the media ahead of the trip to Manchester City. Alex Jones reports.
Walton’s first taste of being in a Premier League matchday squad came back in January 2021, when he was named on Brighton’s bench to face Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Seagulls were beaten 1-0 in a match that was played behind-closed-doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with Phil Foden scoring the winner just before half time.
Walton’s place among the substitutes wasn’t even meant to happen.
“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.
“It was a good experience 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.”
Ipswich’s trip to Manchester will likely tick off a key milestone for Walton, who finally looks set to start away at City for the first time in his career.
That’s a daunting task for any shot-stopper, given the quality that the Cityzens have at their disposal.
Central to that, of course, is star striker Erling Haaland, who already has 10 goals to his name in just nine matches in all competitions this season.
“He's outstanding,” Walton admitted. “He's done it year on year. There were probably a few questions, will he do it in the Premier League? I think he's blown them 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. There are a lot of other players. They've got good quality, as do 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.”
Walton’s team-mates are also due to face a tricky challenge, with Town attackers up against Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has kept three clean sheets in the Premier League already this season.
“He’s one of the best in the world,” Walton argued. “He's been unbelievable.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after team-mate Rayan Cherki scores their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London.
Walton was full of praise for fellow shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma (Image: PA)
“He started his career at a really young age and he's played a lot of games.
“He's a phenomenal keeper and one that's done extremely well.”
The narrative of the match is dominated by the drama surrounding Man City, who are facing significant punishments for breaking financial regulations.
An independent commission has found the Cityzens guilty of 114 charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
While they have appealed, the outside noise isn’t going away, although Walton has stressed that it won’t impact Ipswich’s preparations.
“I think we’re ignoring it,” he said.
“It doesn't make a difference to our game. 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 just read about it on the news and seen it on TV. I've not got an opinion on it.
“Going into this game, it means nothing, and I don't think my opinion matters.”
Asked whether it had been a topic of conversation in the dressing room, Walton replied: “Briefly, but everyone's opinion will be different.
“There's been none of that this week. I think it's more just focusing on the game.”
The external expectation is that the Blues will be beaten this weekend. Most bookmakers have installed the hosts as firm favourites to claim all three points.
That viewpoint hasn’t been echoed by those in and around Town’s camp.
“We’re full of belief that they'll be coming up against a good Ipswich team,” Walton stated. “We have to go there with full belief. The full squad is raring to go.
“Whoever's selected will be ready to put in a performance and do their job.
“It's a different challenge. 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. You know that, when you get up into the Premier League, this game is going to come about.
“It's one I think we've got to enjoy as well.”
Three wins on the board so far, aiming for a fourth away at the league leaders. The vibes around Ipswich are positive, with performances and results catching the eye.
Is Walton surprised by the way Town have started life back in the Premier League?
“No, I'm not,” the 30-year-old responded.
“I think we had a really good pre-season. We recruited a lot of players, a lot of top-quality players, so it's not a surprise to me.
“The way that we work every single day, what the manager demands from us as individuals and as a collective, I think is big.
“It doesn’t surprise me.”
“We’ve got three wins in the Premier League, the best league in the world. The highest level is tough and they're all different challenges that we face.
“To have three wins on the board is good, but it means nothing at the moment because we just want to keep getting as many as possible.”