Billy Sharp has said that Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker used to clean his boots when he was at Sheffield United.
The 37-year-old striker has also said that Walker told him last season that he could leave City in the summer of 2023.
So, what has former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp said about Manchester City star Kyle Walker? Let’s take a look.
What’s the story?
Well, according to Billy Sharp, Kyle Walker used to clean his boots at Sheffield United and was considering leaving Manchester City at the end of last season.
Walker came through the Blades’ academy system and played for the first team before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.
The right-back flourished at Spurs, especially under Mauricio Pochettino, and earned the move to Manchester City in the summer of 2017.
City paid Tottenham an initial transfer fee of £45 million for Walker (BBC Sport), and, we can all agree, that he has proven every bit of that sum.
Walker is a world-class right-back. Even at the age of 33, he is not showing any signs of slowing down.
Former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has said that Walker used to play as a striker and cleaned his boots at the Blades.
Sharp has also claimed that Walker told him that he could leave City at the end of last season.
Bayern Munich were linked with the right-back, who eventually signed a new contract with Pep Guardiola’s side after helping them win the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season.
City beat United 3-0 in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in April 2023. Walker started for the Citizens at the back. Sharp came on as a substitute in the second half.
Sharp said about Walker on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: “There were talks of him leaving City.
“I spoke to him after the semi-final at Wembley, and he was saying, ‘Yeah, I maybe going’, but he signed a new contract.”
The striker added: “He used to clean my boots, and he used to be a striker. Then he went centre-half, he played centre-half against Hull in the FA Cup, and he was good.”
Kyle Walker still a big player for Manchester City
In my opinion, Kyle Walker remains a major player for Manchester City.
I believe that for City to be successful again this season, Walker has to be on top of his game throughout.
City manager Pep Guardiola trusts the former Tottenham right-back and relies on him.
After all, Walker has made 12 appearances in the Premier League and three in the UEFA Champions League this season.