West Ham vs. Man City: Predicted Line-up for Premier League return

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with the Premier league trophy on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 22, 2022. - Manchester City won the Premier League for the fourth time in five seasons after a pulsating title race reached a dramatic conclusion as the champions staged an incredible comeback from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Kyle Walker of Manchester City during the FA Community Shield final between Manchester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Another that is crucial to the Manchester City system is unsung hero, Kyle Walker. He missed out on the end of last season due to injury, and couldn’t we tell?

Walkers pace and recovery, of which he made 104 in just 20 Premier League games, is instrumental to City’s defensive vulnerabilities with them playing such a high line – a distant cousin of Pep’s hairline.

Of his 20 Premier League appearances in 21/22, Walker was involved in 13 wins, with just 2 losses, a cool 10 clean sheets and 14 goals conceded. Not known for his creative ability, he bagged himself 2 assists.

One of the best signings of the Pep era, Walker was dramatically missed towards the end of the season, and he perhaps finally gained the credit he has deserved in his 138 PL appearances for the club.