Man City news: Is Kyle Walker’s performance declining?

There is absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that Kyle Walker has been one of the all-time great right-backs to grace the Premier League. That is beyond debate and his legacy in the English top flight should be celebrated.

This is a player who has revolutionised the art of defending from the right, won everything there is to win in the game, continues to be praised by his colleagues and opponents, and remains an exemplary physical wonder given his age.

However, there comes a point for every top-level professional when age catches up and you can start to see declines in the ability to perform the way they have been known to over many years.

This is the stage we are at now with the Manchester City defender and there is no hiding from that fact.

Injury struggles over recent weeks are emerging and his inability to consistently train alongside team-mates may also be a reflection of that.

By all means, Walker can still do a job. That goes without saying. His vast experience and knowledge of the game is invaluable, but these are very specific matches that he should be called up for – contests where City have more of the ball away from their own goal.

Opponents that boast fast attackers and flair forwards should no longer call for Walker, as showcased against Fulham and most recently Bournemouth, in particular.

Individual battles against Adama Traore and Antoine Semenyo have indicated that the end is likely near for Walker, who would more often than not ensure that neither of those players would get anywhere near him in a one-against-one foot race, perhaps as recently as a year ago.

But with Rico Lewis available as Pep Guardiola’s only other right-back solution, does the City manager even have the option of phasing Walker out? Perhaps not.

Nevertheless, celebrate the art of the England international, appreciate his outstanding contributions to the football club over the greatest period in its history, marvel at his legacy within the Premier League as arguably the division’s greatest-right-back, but be open to the fact that we are seeing a steady decline in his performance levels and ability to compete at the most intense level of the game.

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