Kyle Walker has taken to social media to rubbish claims that he 'didn't show up' for Manchester City's match with Brentford.
Pep Guardiola revealed this weekend that the 34-year-old England defender had requested permission to explore a move abroad in the January transfer window, with Walker then left out of selection for Tuesday night's dramatic 2-2 draw against the Bees.
In the aftermath of the match, a City fan account criticized Walker, accusing the Blues captain of 'skipping games'. But Walker immediately hit back to set the record straight.
He replied: “Can't I turn up? I can't be at Brentford and training at the same time. Maybe you should check your sources.”
Walker, who was linked with a dream move to Bayern Munich in 2023 only for City to block that move, was absent from the Manchester City team that defeated Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup.
And Guardiola said after the match that Walker wanted to pursue a possible move abroad.
“It's not easy for me to say, but Kyle is not here because two days ago he asked to explore the options of playing abroad at the end of his career,” the City chief said. “He asked about the Treble two years ago, when Bayern wanted him, but the offer was not good enough.
“We can't understand the success we've had these years without Kyle. It's impossible. Having a right-back (like him) has given us something we didn't have and he was great. But now he's keen to explore. ” , to go to another country, to play (somewhere else) in recent years for many reasons.
“For that reason I prefer to play against other players who are here with their thoughts. Kyle went to Txiki Begiristain. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm quite convinced that you shouldn't keep anyone who doesn't want to be here.”
“Kyle asked to investigate. That doesn't mean it's going to happen, you just never know. “I respect him immensely because I am beyond grateful for what he has done since he arrived eight years ago.”
AC Milan are among the top European clubs to have been linked with Walker in recent days. The defender has made more than 300 appearances for City, winning six league titles and the Champions League.
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