Comment: Kyle Walker genetics keep Man City running smoothly

Kyle Walker showed against West Ham just why Pep Guardiola was so anxious to keep him at the Etihad

Sun, 17 Sep, 2023 - 22:30

TONY BANKS

PEP GUARDIOLA had said in the build up to Saturday’s match how important Kyle Walker was to Manchester City. This fifth straight league victory offered yet more proof.

Bayern Munich had been sniffing around the 33-year-old in the summer, but on Thursday, in an amusing video spoof of the Wolf of Wall Street movie, Walker announced that he was staying at the Etihad, having signed a new deal until 2026.

The following day, Guardiola said how crucial it was to keep Walker, especially having lost Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte this summer. City fought to keep the England star out of Bayern’s clutches, with his teammates, Guardiola revealing, crucial in persuading him to stay.

As City recovered from going a goal down at the London Stadium to notch an important win against a stubborn and improving West Ham, Walker was as usual everywhere on the pitch. Racing upfield to start attacks, chasing back to snuff out counters, winning tackles, making passes count, cajoling and demanding more from his teammates.

In short, typical Walker.

There were numerous examples of the blistering pace that has been a key part of Walker’s game ever since he burst onto the scene at Sheffield United. One in particular saw him race down the flank, brutally outstripping West Ham’s defence, before a pinpoint cross picked out Erling Haaland, only for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to pull off another outstanding save.

Together with Rodri and the increasingly influential Julian Alvarez, Walker was the glue that held City together in the anxious early parts of this match as West Ham fought them toe to toe for more than an hour, though it was Jeremy Doku’s first goal for the club that sparked the revival.

West Ham had paraded old favourite Paolo Di Canio on the pitch before the game and he led the crowd in a rousing version of the club song “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles". It took City a while to burst those bubbles, but eventually, inevitably, they did it, as further goals from Bernardo Silva and Haaland sealed the win.

Afterwards, Guardiola admitted that there is something in Walker’s genetics that keep him going the way he does. The City manager said: “I am not surprised because I have known him for seven years.

“But I have to admit, his mum and dad gave him some genetics that our mum’s and dad’s didn’t give to us! That is the reality. Kyle is doing well and every time he is a better player. He understands the game better, with the ball he is much better, all the aspects are really good.

“The game he had was amazing. He played 90 minutes for England and 90 minutes again four days later here.”

That last England game, on Tuesday, saw Walker play a full 90 minutes at Hampden Park against Scotland in his 78th cap for his country. In the previous match, the European Championship qualifier against the Ukraine, he had scored his first international goal.

Before the Scotland game, England coach Gareth Southgate revealed he twice had to talk Walker out of retirement from international football, with the emergence of players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Keiran Trippier threatening, and occasionally taking, his place.

Yet there he was again on Saturday, like the proverbial Duracell Bunny, captaining his club side and leading from the front.

Walker’s experience makes him one of the toughest opponents for any winger - and his searing pace is a real threat going forward. Last season he was ranked the Premier League’s fastest player, clocking an amazing 37.98 km/hr in one game. Younger, faster players like Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon have overtaken him this year. But then he is 33 - and we are only five games in. The speedster is only just getting going.

His versatility also makes Walker a key player for club and country. He can play as an orthodox fullback or a wing back - and a centre back if needed.

The speedster might these days need persuading how important he is to England and Manchester City. Others have no doubt.