Man City 'fuming at Kyle Walker for jumping ship as soon as things got tough'
Man City were left "fuming" behind the scenes after Kyle Walker made it clear he wants to leave following a dramatic drop in form.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that many had expected their captain to step up during this difficult spell.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Walker's move to AC Milan would be complete "within days" as he continues to push for an exit.
City have begun to find their form once more, with four wins from their last six games, but that run stretches to just five wins in their last 19 games across all competitions.
During what has been described as "one of the club's darker periods", the 34-year-old Walker has come under plenty of scrutiny for his performances.
However, instead of attempting to step up his displays and raising the level of those around him - as expected of a captain - he instead pushed to leave the club.
It was this act of jumping ship that Brown explains has left many upset with his actions.
Man City unhappy with Kyle Walker's conduct after AC Milan news
Brown told Football Insider in December that Walker's performances had become a concern for Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff during their difficult spell.
However, the former scout who has experience working closely with elite players including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted it is the captain's role to help raise the team's performances, not to run at the first sign of trouble.
"He made it known to City that he wants out this month," he told Football Insider.
"But, from what I hear, they're not too pleased that their captain has bailed out during what is one of the club's darker period in recent times.
"Many would take the view that you want your captain to be the one who sets the standards.
"It's his role to show the rest of the players what he's about and help them raise their game to get back to where they feel they should be.
"But as soon as things have got tough, he's jumping ship and forcing a move away.
"So I expect they'll be fuming, and there's a feeling that the sooner he goes, the better."
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