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City Transfer Target Evaluation — Part 3 (Right-Back)

By Taras Tataryn

Pablo Zabaleta, a true Manchester City legend, waves goodbye to City fans at the Etihad for the last time.
Pablo Zabaleta, a true Manchester City legend, waves goodbye to City fans at the Etihad for the last time. /
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Kyle Walker — Tottenham F.C. (English international)

Rating: 9/10

Likelihood: 4/5

STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

Perhaps the most linked full-back with Manchester City at the moment, Kyle Walker could be a tremendous City right-back if he is to make a move.

I’ve always thought Kyle Walker was on the end of his career, with it seeming as if he has been in the premier league for a long time. However, he is only 26, and he has still been in the Premier League for nearly 10 years. Having originally started his career with Sheffield United at 2008, Walker made the transfer to Tottenham and quickly built up a great reputation for himself. After a couple of loans, he really established himself in 2012, winning the PFA Young player of the year award against the likes of Aguero, Welbeck, Sturridge, and even then teammate Gareth Bale. This in itself should be a testament to his abilities and talent. Here are some highlights from his 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Like all fullbacks linked with City at the moment, Walker has tremendous pace and is not afraid to utilize that going forward. His pace is also equally as crucial on the defensive side of things — in tackling, interceptions, and recovery. Overall, Walker would provide a huge upgrade by providing that pace down the wing that we haven’t seen that much in Sagna and Zabaleta for a while, while also providing strength in aerial duels, dominance in possession, defensive stability, and a threat in our attack.

Take a gander at this highlight video and you will also see his ability to utilize his toughness and physical strength and all that was described above. Overall he would be a massive signing for Manchester City, adding to our homegrown quota and making a statement that we are not kidding around this summer.

Rating Explanation: 

Having been called the best right back in the Premier League and possibly in the world at times, Walker surely is on the top of the list. His tremendous athleticism allows him to rumble up and down the right flank all game, and equally, as importantly, allows him to stay uninjured (he rarely has been injured). One thing that sets him apart from Rose and other full-backs is his inability/unwillingness to tackle to dispossess an opponent — he’d rather slide to clear the ball whether it be out of bounds or down the field.

Aside from this, he doesn’t have that many weaknesses. He has shown the ability to cross the ball, but rather most of the time he chooses to dribble. He is a fantastic dribbler in traffic which allows him to get to the byline or draw free-kicks.

I can’t complete this section without mentioning that he has been benched in favor of Kieran Trippier as of late — Walker hasn’t started a match in 5 or 6 games. (Here is an article discussing the selection dilemma more in depth between the two). Evidently, Pochettino favored Trippier for his superior crossing and movement, which is crucial to Tottenham’s build up and getting players like Kane balls in dangerous positions. Nonetheless, we still know Walker still possesses the qualities he has always had. He is definitely still a top 5 right-back in the world (especially with Lahm retiring this season).

At the moment, I only see Dani Carvajal, Dani Alvez, and maybe Sergi Aurier as superior to Kyle Walker

Likelihood: 

As I just described, Walker has not been the first choice at Tottenham for at least a couple of games, and it doesn’t look like he will be for the last game of the season. In terms of age, he is just in his prime, and this would be a perfect opportunity for him to move to City for a great chance at a Title and going far in the Champions League. At the moment, I see this as very likely. I hope Tottenham are willing to undergo negotiations. This would be a great signing to replace Zabaleta and Sagna. Him, and possibly Maffeo, would be two great right full-backs to have moving forward.

It’s also worth noting, in the final game of the season, Walker wasn’t even on the Spurs bench. He may have been with an injury, but after talking to several Tottenham fans, it sounds like Tottenham at this point is okay with letting him go. Good news.

Strengths:

  • Pace
  • Physical Prowess
  • Dribbling
  • Passing
  • Aerial duels
  • Interceptions + slide tackling

Weaknesses:

Crossing

Dispossessing an opponent

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