Ex-Player Watch Player Watch: Kyle Walker

[Roynie]

I hope Walker stays, he might have dropped a bit of form lately but he's still a very good RB.

That said, thinking of alternatives to Trippier, we have, of course, KWP. We also have Eric Dier, whose versatility Poch was praising in his pre match Press briefing yesterday (I think it was). Wanyama has proven a big hit at DM and we have enough quality in the squad to enable ED to play RB, especially as we seem to play 3 at the back most of the time anyway. That might allow KWP a bit of game time at RWB.

Just a thought!

 

[Cornpattbuck]

That said, I'm not rushing him out the door. Love the fella and think his improvements have been so impressive. Underrated, which sounds like madness with the potential money being thrown around.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

If Walker is sold we need to buy a quality replacement... Trippier is decent but he is not a in Walker's class when they are both in top form.

If Sissoko stays and Walker is sold, think he would be an adequate replacement, though with Trippier being first. Trippier/Sissoko is a good look. And think it would suit Mousa.

Not part of my discussion point but I play Sissoko in that position on FIFA and he really does the biz. All joking aside think the position would suit him in real life and saves buying a replacement While KWP gets up to speed. He may well end up as the worlds most expensive utility player / sub.

 

[danielneeds]

The deck didn't fall when we sold Berbatov, Modric, Bale or whoever else.

Within 8 games of selling Berba we were rock bottom of the league and sacking the manager.

AVB lasted a month or two longer after Bale was sold...

Having said all of that Walker hasn't got the influence of those two thankfully.

 

[ChristianBaler]

Do they rotate? Looking at the games Walker has played this season I would say that's not the case at all certainly not in the league. Same on the other side, take out the injuries and it's pretty much Rose every week barring domestic cup games. Yes there have been times where we have played a lot of games in a short space of time where you could say some rotation has occurred, but that is the same for most of the squad not just full backs. On top of that the first choice players were not rotated out for the bigger games anyway. It's clear you have posted a worst case scenario(sessegnon and KWP to play against Chelsea) but that just fits with what is IMO, an incredibly negative posting style you have.

Yes we would be potentially weaker at RB if we sold Walker, but again imo he is not the crown jewel some are making him out to be. Our record with Trippier at RB is still really really good, and I have every faith that Poch will do whatever he believes is in the best interest of the squad.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Within 8 games of selling Berba we were rock bottom of the league and sacking the manager.

AVB lasted a month or two longer after Bale was sold...

Having said all of that Walker hasn't got the influence of those two thankfully.

True but they were CLEARLY our standout players at the time. As much as I like Walker, he's probably the 'weakest' player in our first team. Kind of shows how far we've come in a backhanded way.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Walker's recovery pace on the cover has been a real security blanket for Toby and Verts - they know they can push high because he can make those runs back. When he's not there they are more vulnerable - like when Toby brought down Pedro for the first goal at Wembley.

I think Alderweirld and Vertonghens reading of the game has covered Walker's arse much more.

Replaceable, with who?!

You're fooling yourselves saying he's replaceable. He's the best right back in the Prem, look how many right backs Arsenal, City and United etc have brought in since we've had Walker and none of them are as good.

We shouldn't be strengthening our Prem rivals, end of story. If he's goes Madrid or Barcelona fair enough but no-one in our current XI should be sold to anyone in England.

Well we replaced him with Trippier last couple of weeks. Seriously, stop panicking, we lost Bale and Modric and we are ten times better now. Not because we lost them but because when you have the right coach losing anyone isn't a catastrophe especially when you have two other great options already at the club. What this team achieves it achieves as a collective. We've lost Rose and Kane for big chunks of this season, and had the best season since the PL began, best season for about 60 years.

If Walker goes the universe won't end.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I don't actually think it will have the knock on effect you think, Leicester managed to keep hold of Vardy and Mahrez despite selling Kante for example.

Saying that, I don't want to sell Walker purely for the reason I can't think of one player that we could replace him with that is even as good as him, let alone an improvement.

Think harder.

Within 8 games of selling Berba we were rock bottom of the league and sacking the manager.

AVB lasted a month or two longer after Bale was sold...

Having said all of that Walker hasn't got the influence of those two thankfully.

Our form was atrocious after the league cup win, long before Berbatov was sold. And it wasn't just selling Bale, it was buying and trying to integrate half a dozen new players at the same time.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I really thought Walker would be a lifer here. Just seemed like he found his home. Unfortunately, money talks and I really can't blame the guy for wanting to double (at least) his wages. At least we know he'll get us a ton of money in return.

 

[danielneeds]

I think Alderweirld and Vertonghens reading of the game has covered Walker's arse much more.

Of course you do...

Our system works well because of all the component parts. Having Lloris sweeping behind, together with Walker, and to a lesser extent, Rose's pace to cover, let's the centre halves play a more risky game, which they do so well. But let's not pretend they haven't looked vulnerable to pacey counters at times, and Walker has helped to minimise that with his amazing sprinting up and down the pitch.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Every player has a price, and no one is bigger than the club..

Selling to rivals is one issue. Talking about these rumours at this period is another.. There is no worse time to have the club and fans engaging in players' future than at this very crucial moment..

Just hope all media and journalists can stop all these until the end of our season.. But I know those morons will not stop..

 

[Trix]

What about if we go back any further than that? The season didn't start in March and Walker has started 30+ league games. You have also included cup games which I have conceded he rotates most of the squad for.

As I have already posted in this thread, these issues with Walker did not start with the Chelsea semi final

 

[Mark_147]

I think Alderweirld and Vertonghens reading of the game has covered Walker's arse much more.




Well we replaced him with Trippier last couple of weeks. Seriously, stop panicking, we lost Bale and Modric and we are ten times better now. Not because we lost them but because when you have the right coach losing anyone isn't a catastrophe especially when you have two other great options already at the club. What this team achieves it achieves as a collective. We've lost Rose and Kane for big chunks of this season, and had the best season since the PL began, best season for about 60 years.

If Walker goes the universe won't end.

The point is not whether we can cope without walker, it's that we should not be selling our best players to rival clubs. It sends the wrong message not only to clubs looking to unsettle our players, but to players like Alderwereld whom your trying to get to sign a new contract.

 

[diamond lights]

I think this is simple. The mindset has changed. If any player wants out then Poch will not want him. We are going places and the money (wages) will look after itself in the long term.
If an individual player cannot see that then the team moves on without them. Sell to whoever gives us the best price. Walker will not make City into Champions on his own. If the money we get in is reinvested in improving the team we will move onwards and upwards. If Walker apologises (if rumours are true) and begs to stay then we might let him.

 

[not_tenth-again]

What about if we go back any further than that? The season didn't start in March and Walker has started 30+ league games. You have also included cup games which I have conceded he rotates most of the squad for.

As I have already posted in this thread, these issues with Walker did not start with the Chelsea semi final

This is the way I read it too. He's been here 8 years. It's just as likely all these rumours are driven by his misses wanting to bring up kids closer to family in the north. Who knows

 

[DEFchenkOE]

If Walker goes to Man C for £40m/£60m whatever the price and next season they win the league or a cup while we remain potless, that sends out very bad signals to the rest of the team. Its bad enough seeing Bale and Modric pick up CL titles not to mention Carrick/Berbs/Sheringham of yesteryear. But to see Walker or any other of our current players do that while we're so close would be very difficult to take.

 

[mav]

It doesn't always work going back Oop North even if he will be nearer some of his family. I suspect he'll go though. I hear Spain's very clement and has excellent plane links with the north of England

 

[Trix]

If Walker goes to Man C for £40m/£60m whatever the price and next season they win the league or a cup while we remain potless, that sends out very bad signals to the rest of the team. Its bad enough seeing Bale and Modric pick up CL titles not to mention Carrick/Berbs/Sheringham of yesteryear. But to see Walker or any other of our current players do that while we're so close would be very difficult to take.

What message does it send out to the players that we will keep a player at the club if he is unhappy? The players know the score, teammates move, it happens every season. As long as we improve that is all that matters.

 

[voxy28]

Of course you do...

Our system works well because of all the component parts. Having Lloris sweeping behind, together with Walker, and to a lesser extent, Rose's pace to cover, let's the centre halves play a more risky game, which they do so well. But let's not pretend they haven't looked vulnerable to pacey counters at times, and Walker has helped to minimise that with his amazing sprinting up and down the pitch.

You all forgot about Dier dropping to form the 3 men defence when the wings stay up?
IMO, Dier is the one that make Walker look good.

 

[danielneeds]

You all forgot about Dier dropping to form the 3 men defence when the wings stay up?
IMO, Dier is the one that make Walker look good.

I'm not forgetting anyone, our defence is a collective effort, and it's the balance of skills that makes it effective. I think if we don't replace Walker's pace we will notice the difference next year.