- Neal Maupay was at the center of controversy following Brentford’s defeat to Manchester City
- The Bees striker was involved in a heated argument with City player Kyle Walker
- Chelsea are a mess and it’s hard to find the answers… but they need to keep the faith and stay patient. It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Neal Maupay was at the center of controversy again on Monday evening after becoming embroiled in a heated argument with Manchester City captain Kyle Walker.
Seven days after the furore surrounding the Brentford striker’s darts goal celebration at Tottenham, he left Walker fuming with a comment towards the end of City’s 3-1 win.
The England international was calmed down by Pep Guardiola after the two exchanged words and the City boss subsequently refused to discuss the incident.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was also not present and did not speak to Maupay about the row.
“No, I saw them talking to each other,” Frank said. “It’s not my first focus after a game we lost.”
Brentford striker Neal Maupay (centre) was again at the center of controversy after he was seen in a verbal altercation with Man City captain Kyle Walker (second from left) on Monday evening.
Walker was clearly upset by something Maupay said as he led his side to a 3-1 victory
Maupay was also seen exchanging words with Man City goalkeeper Ederson during the match
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The City captain split from wife Annie Kilner, 30, last month after fathering a second child with Lauryn Goodman.
Kilner announced that after 13 years together, she would be “taking some time away from Kyle” in light of his infidelity.
Maupay infuriated Tottenham midfielder James Maddison after he recreated the England star’s darts celebration in north London last Wednesday.
The Bees striker cheekily celebrated his goal in the 15th minute by copying Maddison’s famous dart-throwing routine in front of Tottenham fans, with Brentford teammate Ivan Toney following suit.
Phil Foden inspired City to a victory on Monday evening, moving them within two points of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand – against the Bees in a fortnight.
Phil Foden scored a fine hat-trick as Manchester City came from behind to beat Brentford
Guardiola claimed Foden is Kevin De Bruyne’s natural heir as the youth product continues to influence matches and has now scored 14 goals in all competitions this season.
“There is room to take over from Kevin and Bernardo (Silva) in the future,” Guardiola said.
‘It’s experience, the experience he gains. And then he will lead. Now he is guided.
‘Phil is having the most influential season in the team in terms of goals and assists. He’s like a knife. I’ve only seen a few like that.
‘He will set his own boundaries. If he concentrates, he will have a long and successful career. But it depends on him. If he can concentrate, he can achieve what he wants.
The striker was also involved in an altercation with Tottenham’s James Maddison in midweek
Maupay and teammate Ivan Toney mockingly recreated Maddison’s famous darts celebration
Walker recently praised the ‘incredible’ Guardiola for being so ‘understanding’ and also revealed how England manager Gareth Southgate offered his support last week.
The defender also admitted he was tempted to ‘escape’ Britain to Bayern Munich in a £15million deal, but decided against the move in a bid to stay close to his children.
Speaking about Guardiola’s support, Walker said The sun: ‘He didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t want to tell him because I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t mentally there.
“I cannot thank him enough for the understanding and belief he has shown in me over the past four years.
Walker has endured a rough patch off the field of late following his split from wife Annie Kilner
The City captain praised ‘incredible’ Pep Guardiola for being so ‘understanding’
‘I tried to escape. Did I want to leave City? No of course not. We are the best team in the world right now. But it was a chance to get away from England and the media I would get.
‘I knew the clock was ticking. I came very close to moving. We had conversations. I went to a great club, a huge club. But in the end I couldn’t go.’
Walker returned as captain against Brentford, playing 90 minutes for the 21st time in 23 league games this campaign.
The champions host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday before the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Copenhagen starts next Tuesday.