Micah Richards has said that Manchester City could have a real ‘problem’ on their hands if Kyle Walker ends up leaving.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the well-liked pundit spoke about the £50 million (Sky Sports) man’s future and how it could affect City.
However, Micah Richards believes that Manchester City could find it a tall task to find a replacement for Kyle Walker.
Micah Richards says Manchester City could have a ‘problem’ next season if Kyle Walker leaves
After the Sky Blues’ defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, Pep Guardiola, who recently branded the Englishman as ‘irreplaceable’ admitted that he hopes that he ends up staying.
However, the treble-winner continues to get linked with a move to Bayern Munich ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Micah Richards has said that Manchester City could suffer a decline as a whole if Kyle Walker decides to bid farewell to the club this summer.
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“The only one problem I see for Man City is Kyle Walker, if he is to leave. The way Man City play and the way they press, and the way they leave themselves exposed on the counter-attack, so many times, Kyle Walker just nullifies that threat.”
“And I know he didn’t start in the Champions League final [against Inter Milan] but when he doesn’t start, it doesn’t feel like the same team to me. I’ll have to get someone who can do a similar role.”
A Kyle Walker exit would undoubtedly hurt the Sky Blues
Micah Richards certainly has a point as Kyle Walker remains an elite athlete and his recovery pace is one of the many reasons that allow Manchester City to play on the front foot.
Especially against transition-based sides, the five-time Premier League winner’s incredible defensive capabilities and searing pace ensures that Manchester City rarely get caught out in behind their defence.
In Europe especially, against some of the best wingers in world football, only one full-back in the business virtually guarantees keeping them quiet and that is Kyle Walker.
As a result, Walker’s potential exit would not be good news for Manchester City whatsoever.