Danny Murphy said last night on Match of the Day 2 that Kyle Walker is playing the best football of his career, and that he could, at this point, be the greatest ever English full-back.
The England international started in the 3-0 win over Everton, a result that has put Manchester City four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal lost to Brighton later in the day, meaning it is now City’s title to lose.
Pep Guardiola’s side can get the job done against Chelsea on Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan is grabbing most of the headlines today for his amazing performance that saw him score two magnificent goals. He also assisted Erling Haaland.
But Walker was also excellent for City.
The 32-year-old was not really in favour only a couple of months ago. City’ switched up their system, and Guardiola said publicly that Walker couldn’t play the role that John Stones currently is.
But he’s been back in the team in the last few weeks, and really impressed.
Defensively he’s looked sound, and last night Murphy highlighted him on Match of the Day 2. And he made a rather big claim.
He said: “Kyle Walker is arguably playing some of the best football of his career. And that’s saying something considering the levels he’s set recently.
“People talk about his positional play. I think that’s the main thing that’s improved in the last couple of seasons.
“He doesn’t only spot the danger, watch when he gets the ball, like most City players, nice and confident, play out.
“He’s arguably the greatest English full-back we’ve ever had.”
Man City star Kyle Walker is definitely in the conversation for greatest full-back England have ever had
This is a very big suggestion from Murphy, but Walker has to be on the conversation at this point.
The level he has shown during his time at City has been extremely high.
Yes he isn’t quite as technical as some of the other players in the squad. But when he came in from Tottenham Hotspur he wasn’t really a technical player. He’s made huge strides in the part of his game.
And as Murphy says, he’s gotten a lot better positionally in recent times.
England have had some wonderful full-backs.
If we are including defenders on both sides of the pitch, then perhaps the greatest would be Ashley Cole. But Walker has the potential to surpass him if he hasn’t already.
