“I’d like to” – Manchester City defender reveals desire to end career with Premier League club

Manchester City captain and England international Kyle Walker has openly revealed a desire to end his top-level professional football career with one Premier League side.

The 32-year-old veteran full-back came close to a high-profile Manchester City exit during the last summer transfer window, fresh off the back of the club’s historic Treble-winning season culminating in Champions League glory in Istanbul.

Negotiating a move with Bayern Munich for the most part of the summer, Pep Guardiola and his City colleagues made a strong case to retain Walker, amid concerns over the loss of big characters following on from exits for Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez in particular.

Moves made by the Premier League champions ultimately resulted in a rejection for the Bavarian side to contend with, whilst City issued a contract extension to Walker, while his teammates voted him in as their new club captain.

While the former Tottenham and Aston Villa man may be entirely focussed on achieving success as Manchester City captain, the Englishman does have on eye on an emotional return to one Premier League club.

Speaking during an exclusive conversation with the FIVE podcast, Walker was asked by a panel including Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand just how long he intends to continue playing at the very top of the professional game.

“As long as my legs are going and I still feel that I can contribute at a certain level,” Walker said.

“I don’t want to drop down too low because the lower it gets I think it gets harder because certain things that you have the luxury of having at City – whether it is the facilities or nutrition or other – but I’d like to finish at Sheffield United,” he revealed.

Continuing on the subject of an emotional return to Bramall Lane in the coming seasons, Walker explained, “I was there from such a young age until I went to Tottenham and only played five games. I went back on loan for half a season so I think I have about 35 games.

“I’d go for as long as possible but to give back or even pass on my experience to the younger players, if I can do that then I’d like to.”

Kyle Walker has largely been a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s squad this season, retaining the right-back slot for the large majority of the club’s high-profile games, most recently in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Despite some of Walker’s performances being called into question by a section of City’s support, his manager has remained on the side of the Englishman, who is likely to also see his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad retained for the European Championships this summer.

Whether or not City officials aim to replace Walker in some capacity during the summer transfer window remains to be seen, although there is a decision to be made surrounding the future of on-loan Brazil international right-back Yan Couto.