Kyle Walker | The Flash

[DJ Jeff]

Can’t wait to see the back of him. I thought he was out last summer. Been saying for ages that he is City’s single most important player. Well, arguably Rodri, but Walker for me.

I don't think there is anyone in the world who could replace the very specific job he does for them. You have to be an unbelievably fast FB, literally top 5 fastest players on the planet levels of pace, and you have to have the strength of a CB, and you have to be very good on the ball too. They won't find another one like him and their game will suffer without him there to chase anything that gets through.

 

[Rozay]

I don't think there is anyone in the world who could replace the very specific job he does for them. You have to be an unbelievably fast FB, literally top 5 fastest players on the planet levels of pace, and you have to have the strength of a CB, and you have to be very good on the ball too. They won't find another one like him and their game will suffer without him there to chase anything that gets through.

He’s the most important player. He allows them to take far greater risk. He allows them to play as high as they do. With City, they will dominate possession, but all teams like that can get caught. And they’re not that good at dominating possession to the degree of Barcelona at their best either. They would get a bloody nose far more often but Walker is practically a cheat code.

He’s actually, at the very best, an average player. He is positionally awful and can’t do much more than kick and rush in a straight line going forward. Everything is about speed and power. I know with Pep being the purist he is, he was at his happiest with Cancelo in there instead. Innately, what Cancelo offered that team is a dream for Pep, but Walker is there as a cheat code, who Pep tolerates probably against his idealistic preference. The same goes for Haaland.

I’ll be happy when he’s done, or declines. I’m also happy that Davies seems to be going to Madrid, as City’s interest there was clear Walker succession planning to me. Hakimi has been mooted, and other than him, Frimpong is the only one I can think of - but he doesn’t have the power of Walker. Would be like playing Dan James at fullback.

 

[711]

He spoke well.

 

[Moston Red]

He spoke well.

Class response, respect to Kyle Walker.

 

[sirAlexsglasses]

How the feck did Walker escape a yellow card there?

exactly, ts classed as violent conduct, I’ll bet any money had that been Licha he would have received a yellow.

 

[Maureen-yo]

stats like the 5th highest speed are great but his acceleration when starting to sprint look a bit laboured? He kinda flaps his arms and shoulders a bit which feels like it costs him a second.

@MemphisDepay @tomaldinho1 guess his top pace hasn’t waned but maybe acceleration has. I’m torn, I think it’s more to do with confidence, maybe next season will be more conclusive (whether with United or someone else).

 

[DennisReynolds]

Awful for the two Spain goals, another two errors he's made.

For a supposed defensively sound defender he's terrible at everything other than one on one defending.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He's had an absolutely shit tournament.

Wouldn't be surprised if Pep moves on from him soon.

 

[Guapa]

Cracks are starting to show.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Awful for the two Spain goals, another two errors he's made.

For a supposed defensively sound defender he's terrible at everything other than one on one defending.

First goal was Saka marking no one. But his positioning has always been sus

 

[redNATION]

His pace saves him from the many mistakes he makes, he’s lucky he has that otherwise he’d be playing for a midtable team years ago

 

[Dannn411]

Just a really fast version of Wan Bissaka. Great in 1v1s, crap at everything else. All brawn, zero brain.

 

[GlasgowCeltic]

Might be washed, great to see

 

[Ekeke]

Useless

 

[Ekeke]

Just a really fast version of Wan Bissaka. Great in 1v1s, crap at everything else. All brawn, zero brain.

He was rubbish in 1 vs 1s. He wasnt even in his right back position to take part in them

 

[Mb194dc]

Feel sorry for him, imagine having the best modern manager in club football and Southgate at international level.

Same goes for a lot of the England squad. Can't judge them from England's zero tactics approach.

 

[Becks00]

First goal was Saka marking no one. But his positioning has always been sus

Both goals were actually Saka leaving his man free. Walker did the best he could.

 

[Berbaclass]

He's had an absolutely shit tournament.

Wouldn't be surprised if Pep moves on from him soon.

They have Lewis though don’t they.

 

[Maluco]

He shouldn’t have been asked to start the tournament as a right back and then change to a centre back with a winger at wing back with just a few games to go.

It was disaster planning by Southgate and he should have had a system well drilled before the tournament began.

The reason he looks so good for City is clear instructions and a specific and well-defined role.

 

[RuudTom83]

Saka was good going forward. But defensively him and Walker gave Spain a huge area to attack at times.

For the winning goal Walker was just knackered so his pace didn’t rescue the situation.

 

[padr81]

First goal was Saka marking no one. But his positioning has always been sus

100% this, he's had a terrible tournament but clearly went with the man he should of for the 1st goal, if he didn't it was a simpler ball putting I think it was Ruiz straight in at the centre of the goal. That ones more on Saka and Shaw. 2nd one though is totally on himself and Stones.

 

[padr81]

He was rubbish in 1 vs 1s. He wasnt even in his right back position to take part in them

Very likely cause he was playing right sided CB.

 

[Maluco]

I’m still thinking about that cross at the start of the second half.

 

[padr81]

They have Lewis though don’t they.

Low key and City fans will hate me for this, I don't think Lewis will ever make it as first choice RB at City. He lacks strength and physique. Under Pep he'll be ok but without Pep he won't cut if and will likely end up playing as a midfield playmaker somewhere.

 

[humdinger]

Both goals were actually Saka leaving his man free. Walker did the best he could.

That’s what I thought too

 

[Berbaclass]

Low key and City fans will hate me for this, I don't think Lewis will ever make it as first choice RB at City. He lacks strength and physique. Under Pep he'll be ok but without Pep he won't cut if and will likely end up playing as a midfield playmaker somewhere.

Fair assessment.

 

[Ekeke]

Very likely cause he was playing right sided CB.

Do you not understand what the responsibility of the wide CBs is? They split off to become right and leftback because there are no right or leftbacks. You cant just leave an opponent in acres of room like he did over and over. There are 2 CBs behind you who are responsible for central players + Rice and Mainoo getting back from midfield.

 

[Ekeke]

Both goals were actually Saka leaving his man free. Walker did the best he could.

Wingbacks dont man mark wingers. If they did they would be playing fullback. The 2nd goal was Cucurella so fair enough there should be more support. The first goal is all him

 

[Guy Incognito]

He's like the anti-Ashley Cole who always seemed to have his reputation enhanced at the end of tournaments.

 

[Dan_F]

He shouldn’t have been asked to start the tournament as a right back and then change to a centre back with a winger at wing back with just a few games to go.

It was disaster planning by Southgate and he should have had a system well drilled before the tournament began.

The reason he looks so good for City is clear instructions and a specific and well-defined role.

Agreed, it mostly comes down to this. Especially at international level where you don’t really have a lot of time to train together. Spain were proactive and you knew what they’d be doing before the game started.

England need a top manager to come in and make some hard decisions now. And for the love of fecking god, remember that you don’t need to have all 11 best players in the starting 11.

 

[padr81]

Do you not understand what the responsibility of the wide CBs is? They split off to become right and leftback because there are no right or leftbacks. You cant just leave an opponent in acres of room like he did over and over. There are 2 CBs behind you who are responsible for central players + Rice and Mainoo getting back from midfield.

And if you watched the game you'd clearly see Walker ran to the man running clean through on goal in the middle of the pitch as he should (cause Stones hadn't seen him) and his wingback was nowhere to be seen.


Shaw gets done by Yamal, Guehi comes across to cover. Stones then has to go to Morata so Walker goes to Olmo I think. Leaving Williams in space. The entire point of playing wingbacks (Saka) is to cover that. Watching it back a huge chunk of blame more than Walker is on Shaw for charging out to get a ball he was never gonna.

 

[El Jefe]

Dwayne Chambers with average technique. His athleticism has taken him farther than it has for any footballer in the last 30 years.

 

[Ekeke]

And if you watched the game you'd clearly see Walker ran to the man running clean through on goal in the middle of the pitch as he should (cause Stones hadn't seen him) and his wingback was nowhere to be seen.

Not his job.

Let Stones fails his, dont fail yours then excuse yourself. Walker becomes the right back which is his job and gets out, Stones and Guehi are responsible for that area. He doesnt do his job plain and simple. And it happened more than once, not just on the first goal.

Shaw gets done by Yamal, Guehi comes across to cover. Stones then has to go to Morata so Walker goes to Olmo I think. Leaving Williams in space. The entire point of playing wingbacks (Saka) is to cover that. Watching it back a huge chunk of blame more than Walker is on Shaw for charging out to get a ball he was never gonna.

The point of wingbacks is to defend higher up the pitch and support the attack. Not to sit back. Thats a back 5.

Stones is in position to defend in that clip. Walker is not in position to take on his RB responsibility which is part of his duties as a RCB. Thats the end of it

 

[avgp_1]

2nd goal was definitely not on him. Saka gave him no support in the 2nd half

 

[Ekeke]

2nd goal was definitely not on him. Saka gave him no support in the 2nd half

I've got no idea what the formation was at that point. When Palmer came on and scored... It seemed like both Saka and Palmer were supposed to be on the right wing. Shaw had nobody helping him on the left side, so no left winger. So someone should absolutely have been helping get back there to get the fullback I've just got no idea who was supposed to be playing wide right at the time.

 

[Ludens the Red]

He had an awful tournament. But he’s a gigantically overrated player defensively. He’s brilliant in very specific defensive situations when defending high up the pitch and having to recover and win foot races. Anywhere near the 18 yard box and he’s no better than Trent.
Going forward he’s horrific. If you see city most weeks he has very little influence in their attacking play.

end of the day he’s set up to fail by Gareth. Gareth picks him based on what he does for city but he doesn’t set England up in the same way.

 

[padr81]

Not his job.

Let Stones fails his, dont fail yours then excuse yourself. Walker becomes the right back which is his job and gets out, Stones and Guehi are responsible for that area. He doesnt do his job plain and simple. And it happened more than once, not just on the first goal.





The point of wingbacks is to defend higher up the pitch and support the attack. Not to sit back. Thats a back 5.

Stones is in position to defend in that clip. Walker is not in position to take on his RB responsibility which is part of his duties as a RCB. Thats the end of it

You've obviously never played football in your life, its literally full back 101. If a CB gets dragged across you immediately go for the guy with a clear run on goal through the middle. Stones is not in postition, he immediately changes direction right after Guehi recovers and takes Morata (who has run offside).

The point of wingbacks is not to defend high up the pitch. The feck are you on about? Saka was way further up than Shaw, why is that?

Shaw fecked up, the whole defence pulled across to cover except Saka who was MIA. Theres even an argument Shaw went for Bellinghams man cause Jude was pushed so high.

 

[padr81]

2nd goal was definitely not on him. Saka gave him no support in the 2nd half

I think the 2nd goal was on him cause it looked like Saka had been told to push up but again had no idea how the formation was supposed to be. Saka was a lot further forward than the no mans land he was in earlier in the half. Felt like he was told go and be a RW.

 

[Lay]

Didn't look his usual self this tournament. Played a few aimless balls too.

 

[avgp_1]

I've got no idea what the formation was at that point. When Palmer came on and scored... It seemed like both Saka and Palmer were supposed to be on the right wing. Shaw had nobody helping him on the left side, so no left winger. So someone should absolutely have been helping get back there to get the fullback I've just got no idea who was supposed to be playing wide right at the time.

Yeah England were extremely chaotic and uncoordinated in that second half. Both the FBs looked like were asked to tuck in but none of the midfielders/wide players looked like covering the wide areas defensively.

Even in that first goal, Carvajal was completely left alone and Shaw was caught in two minds whether to close him or stay with Yamal.