Transfer Rumour Kyle Walker

[Toffeepot]

For me, the opportunity to play centre half is there. Tarkowski is unlikely to be fit for the kick off, and if O'Brien plays well in pre-season and the start of the season then (at the risk of setting people off again) I just don't think Tarkowski is that good that he should be walking straight back into the side as soon as he's fit.

Oh? The injury is worse than I thought so
You could be right, big opportunity for O'Brien if so, but he'll need to be almost flawless for Moyes not to drop him as soon as Tarky's fit
I think you're being hard on Tarky too though tbf, he's been excellent for us and is a natural leader on the pitch

 

[JohnRoss23]

Honestly think he would come in just to collect a paycheck with zero care in the world.

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

I tend to agree. Wonderful player but on a pure skill level was he better than Sheedy? I'm not so sure Harry.

EDIT
I also think that Rooney had at least as much if not more technical ability.

He had more technique than both Rooney and Sheedy. He passing was Messi like and jaw dropping.

 

[Bedfordblue]

1 year left on his reported £128k per week contract (extension) at City….
If we have to cover that, does any know if we can use his winter fuel credits towards it?

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

We defended 10v11 with him on the pitch. Which is fine if he's productive, it's not fine if he's not.

We're way off topic here so I'll just end my part of the conversation.

He scored 6 and created 9. He was definitely productive and inspired our only win at the Pit in 36 years.

 

[DanB90]

Twisted by the dark side young KyleWalker has become.

 

[Gerbs]

Honestly think he would come in just to collect a paycheck with zero care in the world.

I dont pay much attention to the england national team, but does he have a shot at the 2026 squad? Could he be playing to prove himself? Thats the only reason I was for bringing in Grealish, if they have some incentive to play every match and play well.

 

[Lanolin]

Oh? The injury is worse than I thought so
You could be right, big opportunity for O'Brien if so, but he'll need to be almost flawless for Moyes not to drop him as soon as Tarky's fit
I think you're being hard on Tarky too though tbf, he's been excellent for us and is a natural leader on the pitch

I'm really not being hard on Tarkowski at all. I haven't once even hinted at the idea that he's not been good for us, I just don't think it's absolutely impossible for O'Brien to displace him from the side in the way that some people seem to. It's not specific to Tarkowski, the same would apply to literally every player in the squad. Gana was our player of the year by miles this season, but I don't find the idea of another player developing to the point that they could take over from him to be preposterous. We're talking about decent players here, not incredible ones, that's the pretty straightforward point being made.

 

[Toffeepot]

I'm really not being hard on Tarkowski at all. I haven't once even hinted at the idea that he's not been good for us, I just don't think it's absolutely impossible for O'Brien to displace him from the side in the way that some people seem to. It's not specific to Tarkowski, the same would apply to absolutely every player in the squad. Gana was our player of the year by miles this season, but I don't find the idea of another player developing to the point that they could take over from him to be preposterous. We're talking about decent players here, not incredible ones, that's the pretty straightforward point being made.

That's a fair point alright
We want our next in line players to pushing others out anyway all the time so it shouldn't seem strange at all
Guess I'm not used to us functioning as a normal club so misunderstood your comment, apologies

 

[Vintage]

I dont pay much attention to the england national team, but does he have a shot at the 2026 squad? Could he be playing to prove himself? Thats the only reason I was for bringing in Grealish, if they have some incentive to play every match and play well.

I personally wouldn't want a player in the club if their only true motivation football related is to get in their national side for a tournament. If their prime motivation isn't playing and doing their best for Everton I hope Moyes and Co. stay well away from such sorts.

 

[MikeH72]

For me, the opportunity to play centre half is there. Tarkowski is unlikely to be fit for the kick off, and if O'Brien plays well in pre-season and the start of the season then (at the risk of setting people off again) I just don't think Tarkowski is that good that he should be walking straight back into the side as soon as he's fit.

He’s not, and he’ll be 33 and coming off the back of a long term injury as well. I think we should be planning to replace him as of right now.

 

[Harryflashman]

I tend to agree. Wonderful player but on a pure skill level was he better than Sheedy? I'm not so sure Harry.

EDIT
I also think that Rooney had at least as much if not more technical ability.

Look you won’t get any argument on the truly magnificent sheedy or his ability and Rooney I think has had the best individual performance of any player I’ve seen live . However we never got to see JR live and what I did see , skill wise at least , he looked special enough to be in the conversation.

 

[Bluewolf]

Al-Rayyan
Olympiacos
Sao Paolo
Rayo Vallacano
Leon

Those are the clubs he played for, in the past 3 years, after his magnificent, best player in decades spell at Everton. He was the best player at Everton in decades, and was so in demand he played for lesser clubs in lesser leagues, after his best player in decades spell at Everton that wowed everyone in the world.

I never said I didn't like him. But we've had far more effective players in the past 20 years than him. Barry, Lukaku, Baines, Arteta, Stones, Pickford...you could make a case for others, but I'll leave it there.

He obviously had overwhelming skill, but he has been a vagabond (even before Everton) as he was always injured or his production infrequent. There was a reason he was available on a free when we got him.

Stones!? Barry??? Are you smoking crack!?

All of those players were good to fantastic for us but none of them were next level like james was. The lad was world class.

We got him because he was 30, just had a terrible season with injuries, was in the last year of his contract, Ancelotti was here and we agreed to pay him over 200k per week.

inconsistent? He played 499 so far got 124 goals and 158 assists. Making him have a better then 1 in 2 goal involvement. Or to put it another way he played 32,976 minutes meaning he had a goal involvement every 116 minutes. How can you claim hes been inconsistent throughout his career?

On the other hand id take kyle walker but not on those wages and itd need to be on a free.with the squad the way it is hes pretty much the type of player we'll have to make one or two signings of.

 

[Caolam]

For me it would be all about the contract he would demand. There is know doubt he has been a top class player and if he is intent on getting back into the England team then he is going to put the effort in but that has to be balanced against the fact that any financial input cannot be recovered. We are his last club and he does appear to be an absolute tool. (Northern Ireland slang for not a nice person).

 

[malcson]

The thing that surprised me most about Walker is that people have always spoken of his pace to get forward. His stats from an attacking sense are worse than Seamus Colemans

Walker 410 Prem Games - 8 Goals, 36 Assists (44 Goal Contributions in total)
Coleman 369 Prem Games - 22 Goals, 26 Assists (48 Goal Contributions in total)

I know stats don't tell the whole story but I agree with the view that Walker has been lucky to be in a very talented City team and his pace has been a cornerstone of his game, that is now in demise hence the reason he has struggled for 18 months or more.