This afternoon, the defender Kyle Walker, the English international made an appearance to the press. The right-back defender for Manchester City has been a key component of Pep’s Guardiola City. Kyle Walker left Tottenham Hotspur for Manchester City in a deal worth €50 million, which at the time (2017) was the most expensive signing for a defender. Kyle Walker responded to questions regarding Vinícius Júnior, City’s character, and on the Englishmen returning to Manchester City starting-eleven.
On Vinícius Júnior:
“It’s about the team, it’s a team game. I’m up against one of the best players in the world and defending him is going to be interesting, like last week.”
On Manchester City’s and character current momentum:
“We know what the club’s objective is and we have been in a great momentum for two months. The draw at the Bernabeu was good, because at the Etihad we have a lot of confidence. We have very good results here. We are a team that always fights for titles and that’s why we are confident.”
On the Champions League:
“This year we have been together for many years and we have overcome difficult situations. The final in Porto, the game against Tottenham…. It could be a decisive moment to write our names in the history books.”
On what he thinks when Vinícius Júnior attacks him:
“You have to show respect, like I did with Mbappé. I’m not going to invite him to dribble at me and score. If I couldn’t control these world-class players, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
On him getting back to the starting eleven:
“You have to be professional and respect the boss. Everything Pep has done for me and for the club is incredible. Of course it hurt when I didn’t play, but that’s normal. I’m one of the captains and I can’t show how disappointed I am.”
On January’s momentum:
“In the Premier League we had to close the gap, but the Champions League group stage was good. We always improve in the decisive phase of the year. Gündogan, for example, turns into Zidane come May.”
On his speed at 32:
“I’m 32, but I’m not old. I feel very well and I take good care of myself. I can handle the overload of matches quite well. And I have to thank my parents for my genes. The other day I did a speed test and I reached 37.5 km/hour.”
On who is faster, Haaland or Walker:
“I don’t know, the coach doesn’t want to do long-distance tests. I would say Haaland.”
On the hug to Vinícius:
“The level of respect I have for him is maximum. Real Madrid is a giant club and I respect them, although on the pitch during the match there won’t be any. This is like a dog eat dog, to see who is stronger.”
Learning from last season
“We try to learn from every experience. And we already have enough to compete and read the games. We learned at the time, like from that final we didn’t win. They are all experiences that make you better. Tomorrow we’re going for the best team in the competition.”
On what the Champions League means:
“You have to look at the other side of the city… Manchester have won a lot. We miss the Champions League, because the investment of the owners has been very high. We owe it to them and to us. We need revenge for that final in Porto where we were not good. But we know that getting to the final will be very tough.”
If Vinícius provokes:
“He is a very good player and he does what he has to do to win games. I don’t get involved in that. I’ve suffered things in real life that are much more complicated, so I don’t think about those things and I never answer. It’s part of the game.“
Featured image: (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)