Manager Josep Guardiola is yet to decide whether Kyle Walker will play for Manchester City again following the captain’s request to “explore options” to play abroad.
The 34-year-old was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 8-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Salford City after informing the club of his desire to leave on Thursday.
Milan are interested in signing the defender and Guardiola was asked if he would continue to let Walker go, with his future in doubt. City’s next game is at Brentford on Tuesday.
“I don’t know. It depends on how we train (how the players perform in training),” the coach said. “It’s up to him. The transfer window ends[at the end of this month]and we don’t know what will happen. I told him: ‘It’s all about the market.’
Guardiola believes Walker could continue his career for another four years. “He’s a great player with incredible physicality,” he said. “When he’s focused, he’s unstoppable as a right-back. He’s a top-class player and, if healthy, could play another year, two, three or four years as a professional. You can do it.
“I’ve never seen a player in this kind of physical condition in my career. (But) if he wants to explore (options) he needs to decide, not me. It’s not my decision.”
Manchester City manager Nathan Ake says Manchester City will miss Kyle Walker “hugely” if he leaves in the winter.
Ake was asked if Walker’s leadership would be a loss. “A lot. He’s a great player for us and a great person,” the Dutchman said. “He’s a good guy too and I have a very good (friend) relationship with him. We’ll see what happens. There’s no doubt he’s an important player for us.”
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker (right) scuffles with West Ham’s Crisencio Somerville Photo: Martin Rickett/PA
Since joining from Tottenham in July 2017 for £45 million, Walker has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
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“He’s been huge for us over the years,” Ake said. “He is another big player in the team this year. He has been a top player at this club for many years and deserves a lot of praise.”
City’s win over Salford included a goal from 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly, who played as a left-sided defender, as well as a hat-trick from 22-year-old attacking midfielder James McAtee. Devin Mbama, 20 years old The year-old forward, signed from West Ham in August, also scored. Rico Ruiz, 20, is an unused substitute but has recently become first choice to replace Walker at right-back. Ake pointed to these players as signs that Guardiola is in charge of the next generation at City.
“We have young players,” he said. “We have a lot of young players[against Salford]. We also have some older players, so we have a good mix at the moment and the club is always good at finding the right balance between the ages. I am confident that we will continue to do so.”
