Roy Keane and Gary Neville disagree over influence of Kyle Walker’s ‘turbulent non-public life’
Roy Keane reckons Kyle Walker’s “off the pitch issues” are behind the full-back’s desire to quit Manchester City in January, but Gary Neville gave another reason
Roy Keane reckons Kyle Walker’s turbulent private life is to blame for him wanting to quit Manchester City.
Walker stunned Pep Guardiola’s champions last week when telling the club he wanted to leave the Etihad. AC Milan and a host of Saudi clubs are queuing up to land the England full back.
And former Manchester United captain Keane reckons Walker’s well-documented off-field issues have now taken a toll on his performances.
Talking on Sky Bet’s ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Keane said: “A lot of players have off the pitch issues – not just Kyle Walker – and eventually it does catch up with your performance on the pitch.
“It takes its toll on you. I have no problem with a player saying that he needs a change, but in the middle of the season when your team are struggling? I would just bide my time. I still think Manchester City will look at this as a business deal.
“It is affecting his game now. I think it has taken its toll. Other players have been under huge pressure, whether it be Wayne Rooney or David Beckham, they get on with it and the best place for them to be is the football pitch.
“For other players, the pressure piles on them and then their performances are affected. I think Pep will look after him (Walker), but whether that’ll mean letting him go on the cheap, I don’t know.”
Gary Neville reckons Walker can no longer maintain the levels Guardiola demands. He said: “He’s captain of the team and it’s midway through a challenging season. When I saw that he had asked to leave, he’s got a good relationship with the manager – but I reckon he said he’s just done.
“At City, the demands of Pep Guardiola and playing at that level, I think he thinks that he can’t do it anymore at this level, and just wants to get out. Mentally and physically, he just looks beaten.”
