Kyle Walker has said he needed his Manchester City exit to ‘re-energise’ his love of football, having a ‘fantastic’ time with AC Milan so far.
…Walker reflects on early days in Milan
…Happy to embrace new challenge
…Defender leaves messy personal life behind
WHAT HAPPENED?
Walker has spoken like someone given a new lease of life, having joined Milan last month and played every minute straight off the bat – including the city derby against Inter on his debut. He claims not not to have lost his love for football during a tough end to his spell at City, but has certainly found fresh energy by moving overseas to embrace a new challenge.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
For Walker, 2024 was hard, split between his personal blowing up at the end of 2023 when his wife was told about the birth of a second child with Lauryn Goodman, and a dip in form on the pitch. He moved out of the family home and looked set for divorce from childhood sweetheart Annie Kilner, before there was eventually a degree of reconciliation. The problems aren’t exactly behind the family, with Walker living in a hotel in Milan until a more permanent arrangement is made.
WHAT KYLE WALKER SAID
Walker told GQ: “The first two weeks in Milan have been fantastic. The fans have been excellent. The food is great. The weather can improve a little bit. It’s not been sunny as yet [laughs] but I’m waiting until March. I’m fully enjoying it. It’s given me a new lease of life where I can just solely concentrate on football and fall back in love with the game. I’m not saying that I fell out of love with the game, but to play in the Premier League against the same players after winning everything, this is something I needed to re-energise the love I have for football.”
WHAT NEXT?
Walker is effectively auditioning for a permanent contract at AC Milan. He has spoken in recent weeks like a man who doesn’t expect to return to England any time soon, with Milan holding a €5 million option to make the loan permanent in the summer. The defender will turn 35 at the end of the season, but the Rossoneri are famed for elongating the careers of veteran players – like Brazilian legend Cafu.
Goal
