Pep Guardiola makes Kyle Walker admission after ugly mid-season Manchester City fallout | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola extolled the virtues of Kyle Walker ahead of the England international’s return to the Etihad Stadium with Burnley on Saturday.

Walker joined the Clarets on a permanent deal in the summer after returning from a six-month loan spell at AC Milan, whom the 35-year-old joined midway through the 2024-25 season after falling down Guardiola’s pecking order.

A series of calamitous defensive displays at right-back saw Walker lose his place in the Manchester City starting XI as the Blues underwent their poorest run of form in just under two decades in the fall of 2024.

Having signed a two-year contract after winning the historic treble at the Etihad Stadium in 2023, Walker was given the armband by Guardiola upon the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona as the Manchester City wined and dined the right-back to persuade him to stay put at City amid interest from Bayern Munich.

Walker stayed, signed a new deal and captained Manchester City to a fourth successive Premier League title in 2024. However, the beginning of the 2024-25 season witnessed the beginning of the end for the Sheffield-born defender at the Etihad Stadium.

The England international was at fault for a number of goals Manchester City conceded in the opening months of their most difficult season in a decade. In the midst of City’s most challenging year under Guardiola, Walker found a getaway in Italy and booked the next flight.

Speaking ahead of the full-back’s upcoming return to the Etihad Stadium with Burnley on Saturday, Guardiola heaped praise on Walker for his outstanding contributions to the success the Blues have enjoyed since the defender’s £50 million move from Tottenham in 2017.

On the prospect of facing off against Walker this weekend, Guardiola said: “I’m pretty sure that everybody is happy to see him back in a place like he has been an unbelievable figure for us.

“He has been the right-back that defined our time here in the last nine, 10 years. And I’m pretty sure he will get the gratitude from our fans, because absolutely he deserves it.”

On where he ranks Walker amongst the greatest right-backs he has seen, Guardiola added: “One of the greatest; in terms of consistency, no injuries, playing every single game, an incredible figure in the locker room.

“In eight years, six Premier Leagues, Champions League, 18 titles, always being there in the good moments and bad moments. Kyle (Walker), of course, the last season was tough for everyone, for him, all of us. But I don’t judge one behaviour for a short period of time. He was unbelievable!

“One of the greatest full-backs ever! When you control that side with the wingers, focus – oh my god! I slept like a baby for the games, having Kyle (Walker) there. When he’s completely in the game, doing there, he can handle top, top class wingers in the world, with the speed. He was an incredible right-back!”

Walker parted ways with Manchester City on a rather sour note for a player who has been fundamental to the club’s success since 2017, especially when you look at the incredible farewell Kevin De Bruyne was given by the Etihad Stadium faithful after his final home appearance for the club in May.