Manchester City are vulnerable. This season, the English champions are unrecognizable and have had a string of disappointing results. Thus, after 20 days of the Premier League, the residents of the Etihad Stadium are sixth in the standings and have a record of 10 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats. With 34 points on the clock, they have already been let down by Liverpool, who total 46 points with a game in hand. If the title seems lost, the Citizens want to save their season, in particular by qualifying for the next edition of the Champions League. Weakened, the English club is counting on its executives to revive itself. During the first half of the season, some Mancunian players showed form and a level far from their standards.
This is the case of Ilkay Gündogan, Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker, who have been regularly massacred by the British press. Concerning the right side, his performances, below what he was able to offer, raise questions. Despite this, Guardiola continued to call on him, especially since he had quite a few injured players in his squad. He hoped to count on a captain such as Walker to turn things around and restart the Mancunian machine. However, the 34-year-old footballer did not meet expectations during the 18 matches in which he participated this season (10 starts, editor’s note). But the Sheffield native could have experienced his last moments in the sky blue jersey.
Five stables are already there
Indeed, Pep Guardiola announced Saturday at a press conference that his player under contract until 2026 has asked to leave this winter “Two days ago, Kyle asked to explore the option of playing overseas to finish his career there. He went to see (football director) Txiki Begiristain. That’s why he didn’t play. I prefer to play players whose spirit is here and not elsewhere. We couldn’t have had all the trophies we’ve won over the last few years without Kyle Walker, it’s impossible. In his mind, he would like to explore another country for many reasons (…) He is an important player for the national team and for our team. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
A hell of a bomb for City, who intend to strengthen this winter with Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. But the club did not imagine losing Walker mid-season. The English will therefore have to manage this unexpected file. Especially since several suitors are already ready to welcome him. This Monday, the Telegraph reveals that AC Milan would like to welcome him. The idea would even be to accelerate at the start of the week and have him sign a two and a half year lease. At the same time, Inter, who wants to obtain his loan, is also in the running according to the Daily Mail. It is therefore in Italy that Walker could continue his career. Unless Saudi Arabia, where Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are seduced, diverts it from its path.
Man City will dictate its law
But the departure of the England international is still far from being confirmed. THE Manchester Evening News reveals this Monday that the English team, which is planning the rest of the current season, may not allow him to leave. THE MEN recalls that Guardiola said he did not want to lose anyone this winter. Kyle Walker’s announcement therefore upsets the plans of his club, which does not want to keep dissatisfied elements and who would prefer to be elsewhere. The door will open especially if an offer at a reasonable price arrives during this month of January. In the past, the Mancunians have already proven that they can be firm if they do not get what they want. In 2023, Walker, courted by Bayern Munich, remained in Manchester. This winter, the door is not completely closed, but not completely open either.
Relaunched yesterday on the subject at the microphone of Sky SportsGuardiola confided on this subject: “I told him that now it was a question of the market. He is an incredible player with incredible physique when focused as a right back. He’s a top player and he’s in good shape, he can play four or five more years. I have never seen a player with his physical condition in my entire career. There has to be an agreement with the club and I am never involved in that. If you want to explore, you can explore. It’s not up to me to decide, it’s up to him to decide.” But he did not rule out using it contrary to what he said on Saturday. “I can’t answer that question, it depends on how we are going to train and on him. The situation is different now, but the transfer window will end when it is over and I don’t know what will happen.” The soap opera has only just begun.
