Having never experienced a single season at Manchester City where he has failed to win a single trophy, Kyle Walker knows more than most the standards that are demanded at the club.
Since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, Kyle Walker has won the Premier League title six times while also winning the treble amongst other incredible honours.
Voted as Manchester City’s captain last season as well, the Englishman seemingly commands respect within a dressing room full of serial winners.
With Pep Guardiola willing to trust the decorated right-back to start games in one of the most physically-demanding leagues at 34 is a testament to his splendid professionalism and elite mentality.
After Manchester City’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, Guardiola praised Walker for playing from the get-go despite not training.
Walker commented on City’s clash against Bournemouth by admitting that as the skipper of the side, he felt the need to “step up” in the wake of the club’s injury woes and start the game.
Kyle Walker says Rodri has been “perfect in the last couple of seasons” for Man City
During his spell at the Etihad Stadium, the treble-winner has had the privilege of playing with a whole host of remarkable players — from Sergio Aguero to Erling Haaland.
Such has been the veteran’s longevity in a City shirt that he has played with different generations of heroes at the club.
Another one of those stalwarts has been Rodri, who Walker claimed has been flawless for the past couple of seasons while praising him after winning the Ballon d’Or.
The City defender said on BBC’s ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’ podcast: “I think for him, personally, it’s absolutely fantastic. He’s been nothing short of probably perfect in the last couple of seasons. You can see what he means to Man City.”
“I think this season, we’ve adapted very well without him. But in the last couple of seasons, when he’s not really been there, we’ve not really been the same Man City.”
Walker also claimed that Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph is recognition for the often underappreciated work that defensive players do in football.
“Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan] said something in a post that someone sent me and for a defensive player to get that award, for us defensive-minded players, it means a little bit more.”
“You look at the last 10, 12, 15 years, you’ve got [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, without a shadow of a doubt. Then, you’ve got Luka’s [Modric] got it and then [Karim] Benzema.”
Walker concluded: “It’s recognition for the work he’s putting in without getting the headline for all his hard work, his willingness to play, not just the big games but every single game and he was always there available for selection. I think he’s getting the plaudits that he deserves now.”
Andres Iniesta hailed Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win as “more than deserved.” Pep Guardiola praised Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph as well in his press conference ahead of Manchester City’s defeat against Bournemouth.
Walker revealed Man City are not using Rodri injury as “excuse”
Walker commented on Rodri’s injury after Andoni Iraola’s side trumped City by claiming that his side are not using the Spaniard’s absence as an excuse to justify dropping points.
“I don’t think we’re using that as an excuse. We’ve got players on the bench and players that started today that felt there were fit to start.”
“We don’t use that as an excuse. We have to give full credit to Bournemouth and move on, move onto the next one.”
“To come here and not get the win is always disappointing.”
While lauding Rodri, Walker also claimed that Manchester City have adapted “very well” without him in the side.
As highly as the England international seems to rate the midfield maestro, he is seemingly going out of his way to not let his teammates feel sorry for themselves just because their star man is unavailable.
