Kyle Walker is facing the toughest period of his career as he has become the face of Man City's problems on the pitch. At 34, few could have imagined the England defender facing so much pressure as he enters the twilight of his career.
When he first joined Man City, Walker never expected his career to reach the heights it has reached. In an interview, the 1990-born star still thought that one day he would return to play for his hometown team Sheffield United.
But fate has taken Walker to heights he could hardly have imagined, such as winning the Champions League, winning four consecutive Premier League titles and becoming one of the best defenders in England. However, this journey has not been easy as he has never been the type of player who naturally accepts pressure and glory.
The England star brought freshness and excitement to the City squad but now faces scepticism from the public, with inconsistent performances and personal issues making Walker the focus of criticism.
The 34-year-old defender’s lack of concentration has become a serious issue. Walker was criticised for not marking James Maddison in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham and for losing sight of Cody Gakpo in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. In the Champions League, he was at fault for both goals conceded against Juventus. Moments like that have raised questions about whether Walker is fit enough to maintain his place.
In addition to his struggles on the pitch, Walker has also faced personal problems that have been extensively exploited by the media. His family life, with scandals and controversies surrounding his personal relationships, has been a regular topic in the newspapers.
Notably, Kyle Walker's biggest mark in recent times was the situation where he "dipped" after colliding with Rasmus Hojlund. Even former players Roy Keane and Micah Richards were surprised by the way the 34-year-old star handled the situation and affirmed that this image had never appeared in Walker's career before.
The pressure from the media not only affects the image but also has a great impact on the psychology of the English player. Especially when it comes at the time when Walker was given the captain's armband by captain Pep Guardiola this season.
Walker once admitted in an interview that he wanted to leave England to find peace. However, in the end, his love for Man City and the persuasion of the Spanish strategist kept him staying.
Man City are currently going through a difficult season with a series of consecutive defeats. The loss of stability in the playing style has caused the team to face difficulties both domestically and continentally. In that context, Walker is expected to lead the team through the storm. However, instead of becoming a pillar, he is a symbol of the decline of the whole team.
Walker’s form has not been what it used to be. Although he is still among the quickest players in the Premier League, the slight drop-off has exposed some defensive weaknesses. The former Tottenham Hotspur man’s long ball accuracy has dropped from 67.5% last season to 49.4% this season.
Despite his struggles, Walker remains one of the best right-backs in Premier League history. He has proven his ability to overcome adversity and maintain his form over the years. With 93 caps for England, the Man City star is closing in on a historic 100 caps, an impressive feat at international level.
Pep Guardiola still has faith in Kyle Walker but his current problems mean his future at Man City may not be long. The Etihad outfit are planning to strengthen their right-back position in the next transfer window and Walker's form in the coming weeks will be a deciding factor in whether he keeps his place.
