Expert: Man City have ‘agreement’ in place over Kyle Walker amid confirmed news
Man City may have an “agreement” with Gareth Southgate to ensure that Kyle Walker is not pushed too hard while on international duty with England.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Walker, 32, struggled with an ankle injury in the last few weeks of the 2021-22 season.
But he twice managed to return when Pep Guardiola said his campaign was over, and he was named on the bench for the title-clinching win over Aston Villa on the final day.
As confirmed by City’s media team last Tuesday (24 May), the right-back has been named in the England squad for their forthcoming Nations League games.
Dinnery argues that Southgate will be sensible in his use of the 65-cap man.
“He is a very, very fit player,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“We saw that when he returned in the Champions League semi-final. He had done very little training with the group but he put his body on the line.
“Then, after being ruled out for the season, he made a surprise inclusion on the bench for the final day. The time between then and now will certainly have helped him.
“I’m sure Gareth Southgate will have agreed with clubs that he won’t be pushing players unnecessarily. I can’t see Kyle Walker playing every minute of every game.”
Walker scored once and supplied two assists in 31 appearances in 2021-22.
England face Hungary, Germany, Italy and Hungary again in their Nations League quadruple-header.
In other news, pundit backs Man City to sign Erling Haaland ally after confirmed transfer news.