Scout Reports

Moving Target – Kyle Walker

Having already swooped for goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Bernardo Silva this summer, Manchester City yesterday confirmed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker for a reported fee worth an initial £45 million, plus an additional £5 million in add-ons.

After penning a five-year contract at the Etihad, the 27-year-old summed up what he’ll bring to the City starting lineup:

“Attacking is a big part of my game. I’m a defender first and foremost but if I can give something going forward it’s going to give a positive to the team, an extra edge and hopefully we can bring teams down. I watched Zabaleta countless times on YouTube because his timing of runs into the box was fantastic and it’s something to get to my game. With my pace, if I can time my runs as well I don’t think anyone can stop me. I’m all about assists, I’m not really greedy, I don’t want to score. As long as I set people up and they get the goals that’s all I care about.”

The History

Born in Sheffield, Walker joined Sheffield United’s youth set-up at the age of seven and by 2008 was a regular in the club’s reserve side.

Walker was sent out on loan to League One outfit Northampton Town in November 2008, where he made nine league appearances before returning to Bramall Lane.

He was handed his Blades debut in an FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient in January 2009, and would make a further six appearances in all competitions over the rest of the season.

In that short period, Walker had done enough to catch the eye of Tottenham Hotspur and they signed Walker and team-mate Kyle Naughton for a combined fee worth around £9 million in July 2009.

Walker was sent back to Sheffield United on loan for the 2009/10 season, while he took in further loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa before establishing himself as Spurs’ first choice right back during the 2011/12 campaign.

Indeed, Walker was named PFA Young Player of the Year in April 2012, registering two goals and one assist over 37 league matches.

Over recent seasons, Walker has been a key part of Spurs’ success, producing two goals and 20 assists over the last five campaigns, and ended his White Hart Lane career with 229 appearances in all competitions.

Last season, a total of six FPL assists was more than any defender in the top-flight.

After representing England at U19 and U21 levels, Walker made his senior debut as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly win over Spain in November 2011.

He has currently been awarded 27 caps for his country, registering five assists.

The Prospects

After releasing Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta this summer, strengthening the full-back areas was always going to be Pep Guardiola’s main priority this summer.

In Walker, City look to have signed a player who looks tailor-made to be a huge success at the Etihad, with the England international’s pace and athleticism expected to add another dimension to the City attack.

Guardiola generally favoured either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 formation last season, although he did occasionally experiment with a three-man defence.

Walker looks ideally suited to City’s fluid right-back role, while he is also equipped to shine at wing-back – a position where out-and-out wingers such as Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane lacked the defensive qualities to excel.

While Aleksandar Kolarov remains at the club, Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy appears likely to sign over the next few days, and is expected to be City’s first-choice left-back.

Unless City sign another player to provide competition for Walker at right-back, Fernandinho looks set to provide cover, with youngster Pablo Maffeo perhaps another alternative.

Looking at Walker’s underlying statistics from last season, he averaged a key pass every 76.62 minutes and a shot every 144.72 minutes.

During his time at Spurs, he consistently proved he can offer a significant threat down the right flank, and given the calibre of attacking player he’ll be playing alongside, his game should only develop further.

While Guardiola at times last season used his full-backs as extra midfield players, or “inverted full-backs,” to create more passing angles and to help prevent counter-attacks, Walker’s strengths are perhaps more suited to those of a conventional full-back.

Walker’s speed in transition will be very useful if Guardiola does choose to use the England international in that inverted position, although it could possibly hinder his chances of creating opportunities.

The key to City improving at the back will be the fitness of captain Vincent Kompany.

Upon the Belgian’s return towards the end of last season, City managed to register four clean sheets in the eight matches he started.

Indeed, the number of shots Guardiola’s men conceded dropped from 8.2 per match prior to Gameweek 33 to 7.1 following Kompany’s return to the starting XI.

The skipper’s leadership and organisational skills can’t be underestimated, particularly with Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones both struggling when the Belgian is absent.

Only Chelsea (178) conceded fewer shots inside the box than City (181) over the course of the season though, so if Ederson can offer an upgrade of Claudio Bravo and the departed Willy Caballero in goal, the outlook for the Citizens’ rearguard could look a whole lot brighter.

City’s start to the season (bha EVE bou LIV wat CPL) is kind enough, so Walker has the platform to deliver early, as he did last term.

The England international has been priced at 6.5 in Fantasy Premier League (9.5 in Sky Sports) – slightly more expensive than Kompany at 6.0.

Fantasy managers do have a wealth of premium options to choose from in defence, though, meaning that Walker could, at least initially, struggle to attract significant investment. In saying that, he’s already been acquired by 14.6% of FPL managers, making him the seventh most popular defender in the game

City’s pre-season matches will provide some clues as to how Guardiola is looking to use Walker, and if he is encouraged to bomb down the right flank and get to the byline, as he was at Spurs, he may well be worth that lofty price tag.

But with Mendy also likely to come under consideration given he produced five assists in 24 league starts last season, the uncertainty over who will be the better option could be another reason to avoid the City defence over the opening few weeks.

After missing out on Dani Alves, it was crucial that City managed to secure the services of Walker.

The 27-year-old has the potential to shore up what was a problem position last term and help add yet another facet to the City attack.

Whether that will place him among the leading premium assets remains to be seen, but if handed the licence to attack, Walker looks certain to be a key factor in our seasons.

But with a chunky price tag, Walker’s arrival at the Etihad is more likely to rouse interest in the situation back at White Hart Lane.

Kieran Trippier – priced at 5.5 and 8.1 in Sky Sports – could now be promoted to first choice right-back for Spurs, although Mauricio Pochettino is expected to battle for Porto defender Ricardo Pereira.

Ultimately then, Walker’s move may be significant purely due to what he leaves behind at White Hart Lane.

Further Reference

Kyle Walker Wikipedia

Kyle Walker Transfer Markt Page

Kyle Walker 2016/17 You Tube Highlights

3,656 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Coutinho or Firmino?

    1. Batigol
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Coutinho for me

  2. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How's this team looking folks?
    Elliot (4.0)
    Luiz, Trippier, Francis (4.0, 4.0)
    KdB, Coutinho, Alli, Willian (RLC)
    Kane, Firmino, Gayle

    Am I too expensive in defence and LFC heavy?
    Thanks

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I would try to swap one of the 4.0 defenders for a 4.5 playing defender (unless you can find a playing 4.0)

    2. Batigol
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah not sure you eillnfind a playing defender for 4.0
      I got burned with Luis last season. You can probably find a better defender for less and use the funds for an upgrade elsewhere imo.

    3. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      No Arsenal or United gonna hurt you.

  3. cdfcdevils
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    RMT team pleeeeeeese!!

    Foster (Myhill)
    Milner, Luiz, Lindelof (Rangel, Huenmeier)

    De bruyne, Alli, Willian, Loftus-Cheek (Carroll)

    Lukaku, Lacazette, Benteke

    1. Chazzwozza
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think you should downgrade the defence and then upgrade the midfield.

    2. Batigol
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Big spending up front makes you weak at the back. Not a fan of Luiz for a 6.5 defender too pricey for my liking
      I'm liking your midfield

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Luiz is 6.0

    3. Fpl Old Guard
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think you downgrade the defence, spend a bit more money in midfield, maybe take some money from your strikers and get a couple of premium defenders in, then downgrade Alli and get a big hitting striker instead?

      1. Johnny Leghorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I truly hope this was a joke response.
        Only Benny Hill could write this.

  4. cdfcdevils
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Why not much for Firminio

  5. AJH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    RMT...
    GK: Elliot, Foster
    DEF: Cedric, Toby A, Ake, Mee, Rangel
    MID: Pogba, Coutinho, Alli, Snodgrass, Loftus
    ATT: Lukaku, Defoe, Lacazette

    What's everyone's 1st thoughts.
    Cheers

    1. Fpl Old Guard
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Snodgrass is an interesting pick? What is the rational behind that?

  6. Jammy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Front 3 is really tough
    But if you ignore Lukaku you can easily have both Kane and Aguero!

  7. Ceefax Page 302
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on the following squad?

    Begovic, Elliot M.
    Kelly, Trippier, Rangel, Lascelles, Dunk
    Coutinho, Alli, Fàbregas, Pogba, Knockaert
    Jesus, Defoe, Lacazette

  8. Jammy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Aguero to Chelsea - thoughts?

    1. Fpl Old Guard
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts? What shall I have for dinner tonight?

  9. hazardous11
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How's my team looking folks
    Keepers : Boruc , De Gea
    Deff:Bertrand,Lindeloff, Daniels,Mee
    Md:Coutinho,Ericksen,Zaha,MArthur
    Att: Lukaku,Kane,Murray

    1. Fpl Old Guard
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It's looking great, I would only change about 9 players, but other than that, I cannot fault it

  10. ColdRainyNIght
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think of this team:
    Foster (Fabianski)
    Milner Alonso Cedric (Lejeune Mee)
    Alli KdB Zaha Tadic Phillips
    Gayle Lukaku (Vokes)

    1. skeyrd
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I kinda like it but wouls downgrade alonso and buff up Tadic to Liverpool mid of choice

  11. skeyrd
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    ite maybe gunna go for the 4-4-2...

    Ryan, Maenpaa
    Milner, Daniels, Trippier, Kompany, (4.0)
    Zaha, Phillips, De Bruyne, Alli, (4.5)
    Jesus, Kane, (4.5)

    many questions running through my head, such as:
    too risky to go thin on bench? will Daniels outscore 5.0 -6.0 mids?..any comments appreciated