Treble winners Manchester City are experiencing the benefits and disadvantages of being the top club in Europe. On one hand, many talented players will want to join a successful team who can offer titles, on the other hand, some skilled footballers will worry about playing time and seek to leave the club.
One of the players who is worrying about their playing time, and is also receiving a tempting offer to compete against them in European football, is defender Kyle Walker. Walker was the subject of discussion including Fabrizio Romano quoting City coach Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola Wants Kyle Walker to Stay at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola on Walker-Bayern: “He’s super important for us. Hopefully he can stay”. 🚨🔵 #MCFC
“We have one more year of contract, it's not the end so if someone wants him they have to talk, like Bernardo”.
“We want them to stay. They are so important for us”. pic.twitter.com/vQ6gG56hQU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2023
Contract Gives Spaniard Hope
Romano’s report quoted Guardiola’s praise for the 33-year-old, with the multiple-time Champions League-winning coach calling Walker “super important’ to the club. He further stressed that later in his post-match interview following a loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Read More: Manchester City Interest Confirmed: ‘Special Talent’ to Replace Mahrez
Walker is still under contract with the side for one more year. It is unlikely that a club will offer much for the Englishman. Most of the teams seeking his services are going to wait until his contract runs out to try and get him for free, although Sam Lee of The Athletic reports that an extension is on the table.
City Trying to Keep Walker as Rumours Swirl
An integral player in their treble run last season, Walker’s age is often ignored as long as he is able to make the electrifying recoveries that brought him to Manchester from Tottenham Hotspur in the first place.
The Citizens have the money to offer decent wages to maintain his services, but not unlimited money. If they believe the money would be better spent elsewhere, then another club with enough money could swoop in and steal the veteran defender.
Watch: How Manchester City can defend the treble
Bayern Munich Lead the Charge
At the front of the group aiming to get Walker playing in their stadium are German giants Bayern Munich. One of the very few teams who could beat City in the Champions League in this upcoming term, the Bavarians are looking to build a lock-down defence in front of sensational but ageing goalkeeping star Manuel Neuer.
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