A pundit has praised Manchester City’s Kyle Walker for the way he reacted to being dropped by Pep Guardiola earlier in the season.
Since Guardiola took charge at the Etihad Stadium, Walker has consistently been one of the first names on the City team sheet.
However, this season the 32-year-old right-back has found minutes harder to come by, with Guardiola unconvinced by Walker’s ability to invert into midfield when City are in possession.
In the first few months of 2023, the City boss preferred to deploy Rico Lewis, John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the right of defence.
Walker has regained his starting spot in recent months though, and put in a superb showing in City’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid last week.
The England star is in line to start in the return leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Ahead of the match, Walker spoke about his time out of the team.
“I can’t sit here and lie to you and say it didn’t hurt,” he told reporters.
“Of course it did, you start to doubt yourself, but you have to go back to basics, to what you’re good at, what he [Guardiola] bought you for and prove him wrong and that is what I have done.
“I put my head down. I’m one of the captains, I had to make sure my disappointment didn’t show on the team. I have to react as a professional.
“Sometimes, certain opinions in football you don’t always agree with, but for what he’s [Guardiola] done for me and for City in the last six years, it’s been nothing short of tremendous.”
Speaking on ESPN FC, pundit and commentator Don Hutchinson was keen to praise the attitude of the Sheffield-born defender.
“I think he’s matured in his interviews, he speaks very well and he’s very honest,” the former Premier League midfielder said.
“He didn’t huff around, he said in the press conference that he’s got to be mature and put on a smiley face, because it could hinder the young players if he’s moping around.
“I think he dug a little bit deeper, worked on his ability, worked on being in that position so that Guardiola trusts him again.
“He deserves credit for what he’s been saying but also for the work he’s done when not in the side, to convince someone like Guardiola. That must be unbelievably hard.”
