Walker ‘one of greatest full-backs ever’ – where does he rank?

Cafu . Phillip Lahm . Paolo Maldini . Carlos Roberto. Walker, Kylie

Pep Guardiola made the suggestion that Walker should join the elite when he spoke to the media before his Saturday return to Etihad with new club Burnley.

Walker’s return will bring back fond memories for fans who watched the hosts battle their newly promoted Lancashire neighbors to lift themselves from mid-table.

Guardiola believes so.

One of the greatest full-backs ever, he declared, “Absolutely.” Before playing games there with Kyle, I slept like a baby.

He can handle the best-known wingers in the world.

Guardiola did not restrict his purring to Walker’s defensive ability during a lavish press conference tribute. As the manager called Walker “the right-back who defined our time here,” he was cited for his consistency, injury history, pass quality, and dressing room leadership.

In Walker’s time, the Manchester club won 15 major awards, including two FA Cups and the Champions League.

Walker also played a significant role in Gareth Southgate’s England team, helping them reach the 2021 and 2024 European Championship finals, being named one of his country’s vice-captain for the latter and being named one of Uefa’s teams during the latter.

However, Walker’s current England manager, Thomas Tuchel, who chose not to name the 35-year-old in his most recent squad after Walker’s most recent start in an England shirt ended in a shocking 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June, was unable to do so.

Scott Parker, Walker’s new club manager, is persuaded that Tuchel’s opinion of the player’s recent impressive performances at Burnley can be changed.

I have no doubt that he can get in and around the England squad, Parker said. His most outstanding performance of his career, in my opinion, was incredible.

He has been fantastic for us, both in terms of experience and quality. We frequently seem to return to Kyle and discuss his experiences, but I believe we have all come to terms with his quality.

How will Walker’s legacy compare to some of the greatest players of the past 30 years in terms of influence for his country and game-changing for Premier League newcomers?

Maldini, who retired at age 41 after 901 appearances, was the epitome of a one-club man. He spent his entire career with AC Milan. He wore the armband for both the club and the country, Nicknamed Il Capitano.