For years, the England full-back was a model of consistency and excellence for the champions, but in a dismal 2024-25 campaign, he has become their Achilles’ heel.
After nearly a decade of unprecedented dominance, Manchester City’s once-mighty empire is showing cracks, and Pep Guardiola, long considered a tactical genius, has been brought down to earth. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, the reigning Premier League champions will miss out on a record-breaking fifth consecutive title this season.
Last year, City suffered just five defeats in total, but they have already endured nine losses across all competitions this term. Between October 30 and December 26, they managed just one win in 13 matches—a dire stretch marking Guardiola’s worst-ever managerial slump and City’s poorest run since 2003, five years before Sheikh Mansour’s transformative ownership began.
This marks the first genuine crisis of Guardiola’s illustrious career, and his ability to reverse City’s fortunes remains uncertain. Although three consecutive wins have stabilized the situation, City are far from reclaiming their aura of invincibility. The fear factor that once defined them is gone, and one glaring issue has been the performance of Kyle Walker at right-back.
Once dubbed City’s “Mr. Reliable,” Walker has turned into a liability. Despite retaining the captain’s armband, the 34-year-old no longer sets the standard. His game has been marred by uncharacteristic errors, with opposing teams exploiting him as the weak link in City’s defense. Walker’s decision to seek a transfer in January may be the best move for both parties.
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The Fall of Kyle Walker: From Dependable to Disastrous
Kyle Walker’s season has been plagued by recurring fitness issues, which have undoubtedly impacted his performances. Early in the campaign, Rico Lewis was preferred in the starting lineup, sparking speculation that a generational shift was underway.
However, after recovering from a knee injury sustained on international duty in October, Walker featured in seven of City’s 12 matches leading up to December 15. Despite his return, the veteran full-back struggled to make a positive impact. He was an unused substitute during City’s humiliating 4-1 loss to Sporting CP and their 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord. In the Premier League, he played 45 minutes against Nottingham Forest in a 3-0 win but was otherwise ever-present, albeit as arguably the team’s poorest performer.
Walker endured a torrid time against Timo Werner during Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing of City and was culpable for both of Crystal Palace’s goals in a frustrating 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. In the Champions League, his failure to track back allowed Weston McKennie ample space to volley Juventus to a 2-0 win.
The Manchester derby further highlighted Walker’s decline. His erratic defending and questionable antics grabbed headlines as Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. The scoreline could have been even worse had United capitalized on Walker’s errors and if the referee had addressed his theatrical on-field behavior.
Walker’s performances this season have been emblematic of City’s broader struggles, marking a significant fall from his former reliable self.
Manchester Derby Debacle: Walker’s Low Point
Kyle Walker’s performance in the Manchester derby was nothing short of disastrous, earning him a Sofascore rating of 6.3—the joint lowest among both teams, matched only by United’s Diogo Dalot. The rating reflected the City captain’s woeful outing, during which he lost possession 20 times, completed just two of 11 long pass attempts, and won only half of his ground duels.
Walker’s display also courted controversy. In the first half, he sparked an altercation with Rasmus Højlund, obstructing the striker with a cynical barge as Højlund chased a long ball from Andre Onana. Angered, Højlund confronted Walker, and their heads briefly touched. Despite the minimal contact, Walker theatrically fell to the ground, exaggerating the incident in an apparent attempt to provoke a red card for the United forward.
The reaction drew widespread criticism. At halftime, Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, summed up public sentiment: “He should be embarrassed. I don’t know the guy, and I’m embarrassed by that.” Keane also argued Walker deserved a red card for his actions, while referee Anthony Taylor handed out yellows to both players, opting for the path of least resistance.
Walker’s antics—an extreme attempt to gain an advantage—have reignited the debate about diving and gamesmanship in football. Critics like former Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer, who described diving as “screwing up our game” during his coverage of the derby on Dutch television, suggest the incident was a missed opportunity to set a firm example. For Walker, it was a low point in a season already littered with poor performances.
Walker’s Sudden Decline: A Shadow of His Former Self
Kyle Walker has rarely been one to embarrass himself as he did in the derby. For years, he was the epitome of reliability for both club and country, often hailed as one of the finest full-backs of his generation. However, something seems off this season.
Despite retaining his trademark speed and physicality, Walker’s game has taken a hit where it matters most—concentration and decision-making. His ability to track markers, make vital interceptions, and read the game under pressure has noticeably declined. This drop in performance has coincided with City’s struggles, with the champions winning just two of the games Walker has started this season—a statistic that appears far from coincidental.
Guardiola has excluded Walker from the starting XI for five consecutive matches, reportedly due to shortcomings in both his performance and leadership. According to the Daily Mail, Walker is no longer the vocal, commanding presence in training that his team requires. Instead, he has become a “quiet and reserved” figure, a stark contrast to the influential captain City had come to depend on.
While it has been suggested that Walker played through injury in December, this alone doesn’t explain his visibly subdued body language and overall demeanor. The signs point to deeper distractions, possibly stemming from personal issues away from the pitch. Whatever the cause, this uncharacteristic version of Walker is a far cry from the reliable stalwart City fans have admired for years.
Infidelity Saga: Off-Field Turmoil Shadows Walker’s Season
In mid-October, Kyle Walker found himself thrust into personal turmoil as his wife, Annie Kilner, filed for divorce after a turbulent attempt to reconcile their marriage. The pair, parents to four children, had been trying to move past Walker’s highly publicized affair with Lauryn Goodman. However, as reported by The Sun, Kilner ultimately instructed her lawyers to initiate legal proceedings, leaving Walker reportedly “stunned.”
The divorce could prove to be a drawn-out and painful process, with Kilner said to be seeking half of Walker’s £27 million ($34m) fortune. Walker’s infidelity saga traces back to 2020 when he fathered a child with Goodman during a break in his relationship with Kilner. Matters escalated further in 2022, after Walker and Kilner reconciled, as he was exposed for fathering a second child with Goodman—a revelation he allegedly kept secret from his wife for a year. This led to Kilner reportedly asking him to leave their £3.5m Cheshire mansion.
In a candid interview with The Sun in January, Walker admitted to his mistakes: “What I’ve done is horrible, and I take full responsibility. I made idiot choices and idiot decisions… My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I am human, and I’ve made mistakes on and off the field.” Walker also emphasized the importance of his family, stating, “Football has been my life since I was six, but my family comes before anything on this planet.”
Nearly a year later, the fallout from his actions continues to weigh heavily on Walker, with visible effects on his on-field performances. While reports suggest Kilner has paused the divorce proceedings, the uncertainty surrounding Walker’s future—both personally and professionally—appears to be taking its toll. As speculation over his time at Manchester City mounts, the veteran full-back faces an uphill battle to regain his focus and form amidst the ongoing turbulence in his personal life.
Out of the Firing Line: Walker Faces Challenges On and Off the Pitch
Kyle Walker found himself grappling with more than just footballing issues following his performance against Juventus. The veteran defender became the target of vile racist abuse on social media, prompting him to call for action. Sharing a screenshot of one of the messages, Walker appealed: “Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse. It is never acceptable.”
No player should endure such treatment, and Walker’s decision to speak up showcased his courage in the face of adversity. In the same breath, he reassured Manchester City supporters that the team would strive to “do better, improve, and turn the corner together” amid mounting pressure.
While the Premier League title appears out of reach, City still have the opportunity to salvage their season. A Champions League and FA Cup double remains a realistic goal, provided manager Pep Guardiola can bolster the squad, particularly with a replacement for the injured Rodri, during the winter transfer window.
Guardiola’s decision to limit Walker’s playing time has been a calculated one. The full-back made only substitute appearances in the Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Leicester City, and West Ham. Additionally, he was left out of the squad entirely for the emphatic 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City after expressing his desire to leave the club.
Walker’s exclusion is not without reason. With Rico Lewis available following suspension and Manuel Akanji returning to full fitness, Guardiola had viable alternatives. Moreover, Walker’s mental state, clouded by external pressures and personal turmoil, made it clear he was not ready to contribute effectively to the starting lineup. This decision has allowed Walker time to regroup while enabling City to focus on stabilizing their season.
Mentally Broken: Walker’s Career Nears a Tipping Point
In hindsight, Manchester City may have acted prematurely in extending Kyle Walker’s contract for two more years in September of last year. Coming off his sixth Premier League title, the veteran full-back could have ended his City career on a high note. Instead, Walker now faces the prospect of an unceremonious exit, tarnishing an otherwise illustrious legacy at the Etihad.
City manager Pep Guardiola recently disclosed that Walker has “asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career,” sparking speculation about his next destination. AC Milan appears to be the frontrunner, with reports suggesting that Zlatan Ibrahimović is facilitating negotiations. Milan promises Walker a starting role in Serie A, but the Italian club isn’t his only suitor.
According to The Daily Star, Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli is prepared to double Walker’s £200,000-per-week wages, while a nostalgic return to Sheffield United—his boyhood club—remains an emotional possibility. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel last year, Walker expressed his desire to finish his career at Bramall Lane, provided the conditions are right: “I don’t want to drop down too low because, no disrespect, but I feel the lower it gets, I think it gets harder. Certain things that you have the luxury of at City—whether facilities, nutrition, this, that or the other—are not there.”
Sheffield United, currently vying for promotion back to the Premier League, could soon offer Walker an opportunity to fulfill that dream without stepping too far down the footballing ladder. Meanwhile, a lucrative Saudi deal or a chance to compete in Serie A with Milan presents more high-profile options for the City skipper as he winds down his career.
While Walker’s physical condition has held up remarkably well, it is his mental state that appears to have unraveled. The demands of elite football, combined with personal turmoil and criticism, have seemingly taken their toll. Regardless of the luxuries City provide, they may not be enough to restore Walker’s focus and fire. His departure now feels like an inevitable step as he navigates the closing chapters of his career.
Read More: Kyle Walker’s Manchester City Future in Limbo as Guardiola Remains Undecided
FAQs
Why has Kyle Walker struggled for form this season?
Walker’s decline in form can be attributed to a mix of personal issues, including a high-profile divorce and off-field distractions, alongside waning concentration and defensive lapses on the pitch.
What happened during Kyle Walker’s performance in the Manchester derby?
In the Manchester derby, Walker’s performance was heavily criticized as he lost possession 20 times, had poor passing accuracy, and was involved in a controversial incident with Rasmus Højlund, leading to a yellow card.
How has Kyle Walker’s personal life impacted his football career?
Walker’s affair and subsequent divorce from his wife, Annie Kilner, have caused significant off-field stress, which is believed to have negatively affected his focus and performances for Manchester City.
Is Kyle Walker leaving Manchester City?
Walker is reportedly exploring options to play abroad, with AC Milan being a likely destination. Other potential moves include a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia or a nostalgic return to Sheffield United.
Has Kyle Walker faced racism during his career?
Yes, Walker has been subjected to racist abuse online, which he bravely called out on social media, demanding action from authorities to combat such behavior and support victims of racism in football.
