Manchester City have seen some spectacular footballers leave in the last decade.
The likes of Cole Palmer, Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero have all departed the Etihad Stadium in that space of time – along with David Silva and Yaya Toure.
Txiki Begiristain has recruited superbly to replace these superstars, ensuring Manchester City remained competitive under Pep Guardiola despite losing some top talents.
However – before any of the aforementioned players left – Manchester City sanctioned the £3.2m departure of one player who used to cause Kyle Walker a lot of bother.
Kyle Walker hails Samir Nasri
Speaking on The Kyle Walker Podcast, the England international has now showered Samir Nasri in praise – hailing the Frenchman as “the most intelligent” footballer he faced.
The 34-year-old said: “I used to hate playing against City for Tottenham. Nasri, people say who is the hardest player you’ve played against, people say, Mbappe, Neymar, Mane, but when I think of the most intelligent, Samir Nasri.
“He’d stand in a pocket of space, he’d come inside, I’d think should I follow him or chase him? I always thought it would be a tough game when I came against Nasri and Gael Clichy together.”
Walker and Nasri were not teammates for long at the Etihad Stadium – Manchester City sold the attacking midfielder to Antalyaspor for just £3.2m in August 2017, a month after the defender arrived in a £45m move from Tottenham.
In total, the man born in Marseille scored 27 goals and provided 39 assists in 176 appearances for Manchester City – winning two Premier League titles.
Kyle Walker could also leave Manchester City for minimal fee
Guardiola has already made a decision on Walker – who is currently on loan at AC Milan – with the Spaniard eager to sell the Englishman this summer.
AC Milan hold a £4.2m option to buy the man born in Sheffield on a permanent basis this summer, which is a bargain fee for a player of his vast experience.
Even if the Italian giants decide not to activate that purchase option, we would be surprised if no other club offered the same fee.
Whatever happens, it seems Walker – who Chelsea wanted – has no future under Guardiola at Manchester City as he approaches his 35th birthday this month.
