Kyle Walker is DROPPED by Pep Guardiola for Manchester City’s game against Aston Villa after captain was ridiculed for ‘cheating’ during derby defeat against Man United
Kyle Walker has been dropped by Pep Guardiola for Manchester City’s visit to Aston Villa, with kick-off at 12.30pm.
City’s captain has had to settle for a place on the bench for a crucial match in which the home side could overtake the champions with a win.
It comes after Walker, 34, was widely ridiculed for his performance in last weekend’s Manchester derby when he went to the ground following a head-to-head clash with United’s Rasmus Hojlund.
Walker theatrically threw himself to the ground in an apparent attempt to feign an injury – a move that led to widespread ridicule.
Roy Keane led the criticism of the England international, telling Sky Sports: ‘Walker should be ashamed to go down like this. Take a look at this. I don’t know that man and I’m ashamed of him.’
Piers Morgan said in response: ‘Morgan said in response: ‘Well said, Mr Keane. Absolutely pathetic of Walker.”
Kyle Walker has been dropped by Pep Guardiola for Manchester City’s visit to Aston Villa
It’s been a challenging season for the City captain, amid mistakes, fitness issues and a divorce battle with Annie Kilner
He suffered a theatrical demise after taking on Rasmus Hojlund, sparking outrage
It has been a difficult season for Walker, who has made a series of high-profile mistakes and struggled to regain full fitness.
City have won 11 games in all competitions this season and only two of those have come when Walker started.
The champions bought Walker for £45 million in 2017 and he has more than repaid them, although this campaign has been a challenge.
After the United match – which City lost 2-1 in a late collapse – many fans took the opportunity to make allusions to Walker’s troubled personal life, which saw him split from his ex-wife Annie Kilner last December after it emerged that he fathered two children with influencer Lauryn Goodman.
Walker is now in the middle of a divorce battle with Mrs Kilner, who is preparing to fight for half of his £27million fortune.
The childhood sweethearts met as teenagers in Sheffield, but Walker has been embroiled in a series of scandals over the years.
More to follow.