Journalist Graeme Bailey has made a claim about what has led to Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez being linked with summer exits.
Since the Citizens brought an end to their treble-winning season, they have seen Walker get linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Mahrez attract interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
This has now led to one journalist sharing some behind-the-scenes details on why these two City players have found themselves potentially facing the exit door at the Etihad Stadium.
Journalist highlights unhappy City pair
Speaking in a recent video from the Chasing Green Arrows YouTube channel, Bailey had this to say about Walker and Mahrez and their current situations.
He said: “I think with Mahrez and Kyle Walker, what we’re hearing, especially Mahrez, didn’t play in either cup final, Walker didn’t play in the Champions League final, that hurt them, that hurt them both.
“I wouldn’t underestimate that because it doesn’t come around very often. I was surprised that Mahrez didn’t feature in either. I was surprised that Walker didn’t start the Champions League final and that’s why we’re seeing these links now.
“Both of them are really considering their future now, they just weren’t impressed with what happened there, these scars can run deep at times and footballers, when they make their mind up, they can go, so whilst there is huge offers from Saudi, I think, Mahrez especially, there’s a reason behind it.”
After completing the full 90 minutes in City’s semi-final clashes against Real Madrid, Walker wasn’t included in the starting XI for the Champions League final against Inter.
Similarly with Mahrez, he scored a hat-trick in the club’s FA Cup semi-final match against Sheffield United, only to be an unused substitute in the final against Manchester United.
As Bailey mentioned, this could be why the duo could be considering their futures at the Manchester club.
However, with the Englishman featuring in 39 games for Pep Guardiola’s side last season while playing across numerous positions and donning the captain’s armband on several occasions and the winger scoring 15 goals across his 47 appearances last term, we feel that the pair are too important for the club to let leave this summer.
