‘Average at best’ -Kyle Walker could be forced into humiliating Man City return as AC Milan make £4m transfer call
Kyle Walker could be set to return to Manchester City in the summer, with AC Milan opting against signing him permanently. The Englishman joined the Serie A giants on loan from the Citizens in January, but has failed to make his mark, finding himself in and out of the side in Italy. Kyle Walker is yet to register a goal contribution for AC MilanGetty Despite a promising start, injuries have hampered Walker‘s progress, who was most recently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured elbow in April. Since his return, the 34-year-old has been mainly used from the bench, and played just 28 minutes of Milan‘s defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final. Altogether, Walker has featured 16 times for Sergio Conceicao’s side, 11 of which have been starts. He is also yet to register a goal or an assist, while Milan have managed just three clean sheets when the full-back has started. And the England international’s displays have left him with an uncertain future, with the Rossoneri now reportedly unwilling to take up the option to sign him permanently for just £4.2million (€5m) when his loan expires, according to Calciomercato. The Italian publication claim Walker’s injury record, coupled with his replacement Alex Jimenez’s impressive form at right-wing back, has left the club’s hierarchy unconvinced on a permanent move. Italian football expert Daniele Fisichella joined talkSPORT Breakfast to discuss the saga, and argued it could be difficult for Milan to justify the signing, given they are yet to guarantee European football next season, currently sitting eighth in Serie A. Fisichella said: “Those 5 million euros would make him the second biggest earner on Milan’s books, just behind Rafael Leao. “And with Milan not playing in Europe next season this is difficult for them to sign a 35-year-old. “Also, Walker’s numbers this season have been average at best – zero goals, zero assists for Milan, also for Manchester City, to be fair. GettyWalker’s last start for Milan came against Fiorentina on April 5[/caption] Getty20-year-old Alex Jimenez has since started seven matches in a row at right-back[/caption] “And when you look at the stats in Serie A in terms of tackles, duels won, passes in the final third – he’s not among the top 20 defenders in Italy.” Despite proving himself an adequate option, Fisichella suggested Walker’s displays may not have been enough to convince Milan of his long-term value. He continued: “He’s not been bad, I don’t remember him making any big mistakes or causing Milan any troubles on top of what they’ve already had anyway. “But if you look at what Milan have done when when he’s started, Walker, Milan have only kept three clean sheets. “So, he’s been average at best.” Having been renowned for his blistering pace during his career, this is now a something Walker can no longer rely on as he enters the twilight stage of his career. Walker won six Premier League titles with Manchester CityGetty Daniele Fisichella admitted the England defender’s peak is now behind him Milan are set for a summer of upheaval, with head coach Sergio Conceicao set to depart the club and their search for a new sporting director ongoing after Antonio D’Ottavio’s departure in December. And Fisichella suggested these factors could also seen Milan opt against adding Walker to their ranks permanently. He finished: “The perception is that he’s a player with a lot of experience, but of course he has lost the physical dominance, the pace that made him excel in the Premier League for a long time. “Therefore for Milan, who are also looking for a new sporting director, a new manager, committing to such a big contract seems a little bit of a risk. FA Cup Final 24/2025 Pick your winner - Crystal Palace 60/1 or Man City 30/1 CLAIM HERE 18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet max £1 on Crystal Palace – Match Betting – 90 Mins vs Man City by 16:30 on 17/05/2025. Enhanced odds paid in Free Bets, which expire in 7 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Kyle Walker could be set to return to Manchester City in the summer, with AC Milan opting against signing him permanently.
The Englishman joined the Serie A giants on loan from the Citizens in January, but has failed to make his mark, finding himself in and out of the side in Italy.
Despite a promising start, injuries have hampered Walker‘s progress, who was most recently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured elbow in April.
Since his return, the 34-year-old has been mainly used from the bench, and played just 28 minutes of Milan‘s defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final.
Altogether, Walker has featured 16 times for Sergio Conceicao’s side, 11 of which have been starts.
He is also yet to register a goal or an assist, while Milan have managed just three clean sheets when the full-back has started.
And the England international’s displays have left him with an uncertain future, with the Rossoneri now reportedly unwilling to take up the option to sign him permanently for just £4.2million (€5m) when his loan expires, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian publication claim Walker’s injury record, coupled with his replacement Alex Jimenez’s impressive form at right-wing back, has left the club’s hierarchy unconvinced on a permanent move.
Italian football expert Daniele Fisichella joined talkSPORT Breakfast to discuss the saga, and argued it could be difficult for Milan to justify the signing, given they are yet to guarantee European football next season, currently sitting eighth in Serie A.
Fisichella said: “Those 5 million euros would make him the second biggest earner on Milan’s books, just behind Rafael Leao.
“And with Milan not playing in Europe next season this is difficult for them to sign a 35-year-old.
“Also, Walker’s numbers this season have been average at best – zero goals, zero assists for Milan, also for Manchester City, to be fair.
“And when you look at the stats in Serie A in terms of tackles, duels won, passes in the final third – he’s not among the top 20 defenders in Italy.”
Despite proving himself an adequate option, Fisichella suggested Walker’s displays may not have been enough to convince Milan of his long-term value.
He continued: “He’s not been bad, I don’t remember him making any big mistakes or causing Milan any troubles on top of what they’ve already had anyway.
“But if you look at what Milan have done when when he’s started, Walker, Milan have only kept three clean sheets.
“So, he’s been average at best.”
Having been renowned for his blistering pace during his career, this is now a something Walker can no longer rely on as he enters the twilight stage of his career.
Milan are set for a summer of upheaval, with head coach Sergio Conceicao set to depart the club and their search for a new sporting director ongoing after Antonio D’Ottavio’s departure in December.
And Fisichella suggested these factors could also seen Milan opt against adding Walker to their ranks permanently.
He finished: “The perception is that he’s a player with a lot of experience, but of course he has lost the physical dominance, the pace that made him excel in the Premier League for a long time.
“Therefore for Milan, who are also looking for a new sporting director, a new manager, committing to such a big contract seems a little bit of a risk.
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Pick your winner - Crystal Palace 60/1 or Man City 30/1
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet max £1 on Crystal Palace – Match Betting – 90 Mins vs Man City by 16:30 on 17/05/2025. Enhanced odds paid in Free Bets, which expire in 7 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
