If I celebrated I would have probably got a lot of stick’: Sheffield United ‘fan’ Kyle Walker explains his composed reaction to netting winner for Manchester City against his boyhood club at Bramall Lane
- Kyle Walker has explained why he didn’t celebrate against Sheffield United
- The Manchester City defender scored the winner at Bramall Lane on Saturday
- Ex-Sheffield United player Walker admitted that he is still a fan of the Blades
Kyle Walker has revealed that he didn’t celebrate his winner for Manchester City at Bramall Lane as he is still a Sheffield United fan.
Walker scored the only goal of the game with an impressive long-range effort in the 28th minute.
However, the England international didn’t celebrate owing to the fact that he is a Blades supporter.
Kyle Walker didn’t celebrate for Manchester City as he is still a Sheffield United supporter
Walker scored the only goal of the game as City secured 1-0 win at Bramall Lane on Saturday
Walker progressed through the ranks at Sheffield United and made 35 senior appearances for the club, most of which came after he was loaned back to them from Tottenham.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game Walker said: ‘I’m happy to get on the scoresheet, that’s the main thing. They’re well drilled, everyone knows their position.
‘My mum and dad live in Sheffield. If I’d celebrated I would have probably got a lot of stick. I’m a Sheffield United fan.’
Walker has performed very well recently and is relishing having a slightly different role in the side.
He said: ‘I’m enjoying my football. I’m playing in a bit of a different position this year and it suits me and the team.
‘We don’t sit back and defend a 1-0 lead. But it’s great to get these 1-0 victories on the board as well.’
Walker started his career at Sheffield United after progressing through the ranks at the club
Rio Ferdinand stated that Walker will be seen as one of the leaders for Manchester City
Walker was impressed with the performances of centre-backs Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte and also discussed the difficulty of playing several games in quick succession.
He said: ‘The centre-backs have done fantastic. They’re all going to put in top performances.
‘For every team, they’re probably not feeling as sharp as they want to be, but it’s part and parcel of the game and we’ve just got to get on with it.’
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Walker after the game and described him as the standout defender in the Premier League so far this season.
Ferdinand said: ‘I think Kyle Walker has been the standout defender in the league so far. The way he attacks the game. He must be a nightmare to play against. He’s doing everything right.’
‘What he does is he patrols the whole right hand side on his own almost. He’s like a man amongst boys sometimes physically. He’s got quality on the ball. He can switch the ball from right to left.’
Ferdinand added that the 30-year-old will now be seen as one of the leaders in the City dressing room.
He said: ‘Big leaders have left that dressing room – Kompany, David Silva. Now, he’s one of the leaders.’
