Joleon Lescott: Kyle Walker will leave Manchester City as 'Premier League's greatest right-back'
Updated 14/01/2025 at 20:21 GMT
TNT Sports' Joleon Lescott believes Kyle Walker deserves the chance to test himself abroad. The right-back has asked to leave Manchester City after nearly eight years at the Etihad Stadium. He has won numerous honours since joining from Spurs in 2017, including six top-flight titles. Lescott believes Walker will arguably go down as the Premier League's greatest ever right-back.
Lescott: Walker will go down as arguably greatest Premier League right-back
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports' Joleon Lescott has branded Kyle Walker "arguably the Premier League's greatest right-back" ahead of the defender's expected departure from Manchester City.
Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed last weekend that the England international has asked to leave the Etihad Stadium.
He has since been linked with a move to Italy, with AC Milan and Inter potential destinations.
As such, he was not part of the Manchester City squad for their clash with Brentford on Tuesday night.
Speaking during TNT Sports' coverage of the game, Lescott said he does not begrudge Walker wanting a change of scenery.
"I think he deserves the opportunity to make that decision for him and his family," he said. "He's potentially going to Italy and one of the Milan clubs.
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"He may be leaving the Premier League, but he's still going to a club of stature and ambition. He's not looking to down tools in any way.
"He's looking to maximise the rest of his career."
Walker started his career at Sheffield United, but had only made a handful of appearances for the Blades by the time Tottenham came sniffing in 2009.
After eight years at White Hart Lane, he made the switch to Manchester City in 2017.
He has since accumulated six Premier League winner's medals, alongside a UEFA Champions League title and a further five domestic honours.
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Guardiola reveals Walker wants to leave Man City and ‘explore options abroad’
Video credit: SNTV
Lescott added that the defender's achievements at the Etihad Stadium deserve proper recognition.
"Fair play to him, I think he'll go down as arguably Manchester City's and the Premier League's greatest right-back," he said.
"He deserves a lot of credit, to maintain the level he has done.
"He still has ambitions to play for England if he's looking to ply his trade in Serie A as well."
Walker has made 319 appearances during his time with the Cityzens, 15 of which have come in the Premier League this season.
He played alongside TNT Sports pundit Joe Hart for club and country, and the ex-goalkeeper also paid tribute to his former team-mate.
"I met Kyle Walker when he was very young in his career," he said. "He had every attribute. He was excellent, he was on the front foot.
"When Manchester City signed him, could he go to that next level? He went to that next level.
"He was an absolute joy to watch. That [right back] is not the kind of position you tune in for, but when you knew that he was up against quality and pace, you knew it was going to be a battle.
"You knew Kyle Walker was going to be showing people the line. I love that about him.
"He's decided he wants to change, needs a new bit of scenery. He's spoken to Pep Guardiola and it all seems very amicable.
"If that's what needs to be done then go for it, good luck to him."
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