Medical expert issues verdict on ‘strange’ Walker saga after Man City latest
The mystery surrounding Kyle Walker’s absence at Man City is set to “rumble on”.
So says expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Walker has missed City’s last two matches against Leeds United and Newcastle United respectively with an unspecified illness.
A City spokesman refused to confirm or deny whether his absence is Covid-related, as per the Manchester Evening News on Monday (20 December).
Dinnery discussed the 31-year-old right-back’s case as well as the ethics of non-disclosure.
“This is one that is going to rumble on,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“I am sure there are going to be a lot more cases like this cropping up in the future.
“Marcelo Bielsa, for example, hasn’t said that Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have Covid but he has said they are out for 10 days.
“Mikel Arteta said he had players who had tested positive but he wouldn’t say who they are.
“I find it strange because clubs are offering injury status updates on their players. With any other illness, we are privy to that information too.
“It comes down to the club and individual. Does the fact that players have tested positive raise questions they don’t want to answer?
“Are they double jabbed? Have they had the booster? Or maybe it’s nobody’s business and the player wishes their medical records to stay private.
“Ultimately, that’s fine. In what other job would you be required to disclose every facet of your medical history to a worldwide audience?
“We don’t know whether this is driven by the club or Kyle Walker, but it’s an interesting conversation.”
Walker is one of four City stars unavailable either through illness, injury or suspension.
He has one goal and one assist in 18 appearances this term.
In other news, Dr Dan tips Man City to launch “legal challenge as best-ever deal hangs in balance.