Kyle Walker has come in for some serious praise from BBC pundit Garth Crooks, who reckons the Manchester City full-back is playing the best football of his career.
The 33-year-old was starting once again for City against West Ham United on Saturday.
Walker had featured in both of England’s games over the international break, playing 180 minutes.
But there was no fatigue or drop-off for Walker against the Hammers.
Despite his advancing years, Walker was a bundle of energy.
The skipper put in an excellent display, which has been a theme for him in 2023.
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And now, Walker has come in for some really strong praise from Crooks, who has included the player in his latest Premier League Team of the Week…
Garth Crooks blown away by Kyle Walker, who he says is staking an early claim for footballer of the year
Crooks was left blown away by Walker’s latest performance for City.
The star was just solid, and at one point his physical prowess was on full display as he raced onto a through ball from Bernardo Silva, beating Kurt Zouma down the line and whipping a ball in for Erling Haaland.
Crooks said (BBC Sport): “He played – and scored – for England in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Poland, and three days later featured for the entire match against Scotland at Hampden Park.
“Walker then returned to his club and put in a sterling performance at London Stadium. There was even a moment in the match when Walker’s burst of speed down the right made Zouma look like he was running in treacle.
“The England full-back is currently playing the best football of his career and in the best team in Europe. If he continues playing like this, he must be an early shout for footballer of the year.”
Walker is amazing
This is huge praise from Crooks for Walker, who is definitely in the best form of his career.
The footballer of the year shout is quite bold, because £50 million signing Walker would really have to play out of his skin to be involved in that conversation.
But who knows – he has certainly started extremely well (barring the one mistake against Sheffield United, after which Crooks actually called Walker ‘arrogant’).
It’s fantastic that he stayed at the club when at one point he genuinely looked as though he could have left.