Kyle Walker explains Chelsea and Bayern Munich snubs for Manchester City in 2017 | OneFootball

Burnley defender Kyle Walker has revealed why he decided to join Manchester City from Tottenham in 2017 over Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

The 35-year-old recently announced his retirement from international football ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, paving the way for the current and next generation of right-backs to prosper at right-back.

Walker joined Manchester City from Tottenham in 2017 and enjoyed a trophy-laden seven-and-a-half year spell at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola, winning six Premier League titles and the club’s maiden UEFA Champions League title in 2023.

In a recent sit-down with former Manchester United and England full-back Gary Neville for The Overlap, Walker lifted the lid on interest from other suitors before he joined City from Tottenham just under nine years ago.

Walker: As soon as I spoke to Pep, I knew it was sink or swim

In a detailed look-back at his transfer options when he was on the verge of leaving Tottenham, Walker has revealed that Chelsea and Bayern Munich were possible alternative destinations as he mulled over his club future.

“Chelsea (were also interested) but I couldn’t have gone there because of the Tottenham-Chelsea thing – so I wouldn’t have gone there,” the right-back said.

“So the only option was Man City. I think Bayern (Munich) was kind of flirting with it a little and I think Daniel (Levy, former Tottenham chairman) wanted to send me to Germany because he didn’t want to sell to a competitor.

“But as soon as I spoke with Pep (Guardiola) and everything – and you know the project they’re wanting; did I ever foresee we would achieve what we achieved? Completely not! But I knew it was the right time to make that jump, sink or swim.”

Under the microscope: Walker’s time at Man City

Walker arrived at the Etihad Stadium as one of the best full-backs in Europe but under Guardiola, the Sheffield-born star established himself as arguably the greatest right-back in Premier League history – with the trophy cabinet to show for it.

The Bramall Lane graduate was one of the first names on Guardiola’s teamsheet for a large part of his Manchester City career, albeit enduring a few spells here and there wherein he was taken out of the side after a loss of form.

He lost his place in the starting XI midway through the 2024-25 season – Guardiola’s most challenging season in management by his own admission – and joined AC Milan on loan for the second half of the campaign for regular playing time.

Walker’s decision to leave City amidst a personnel crisis in defence divided opinion amongst the Manchester City fanbase and left a sour taste to his decorated time in the north-west, with the defender joining Burnley on a permanent deal last summer upon his return to the Etihad Stadium from Italy.