Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker reunion as Joao Cancelo's Manchester City reunion looms

Yahoo

4 hours ago

Manchester City have been reunited with Kyle Walker in the United States this week, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
The England international is fresh off the back of a short-term loan deal in Italian football with AC Milan, having left the Etihad Stadium during the January transfer window in search of a fresh challenge during a difficult campaign.
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Walker's exit left a sour taste in the mouths of many Manchester City supporters, with some feeling as though their club had been betrayed by it's most senior player and official club captain at the lowest point in the season.
However, despite the feeling that City's association with their long-standing right-back is coming to a close, there appears to have been a reunion involving all parties whilst at the FIFA Club World Cup.
That reunion comes despite Pep Guardiola insisting late on last season that Kyle Walker would not be a part of his Manchester City squad, even in the event of the veteran defender not joining AC Milan on a permanent agreement.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City's meeting with Al Hilal, Guardiola was also keen to insist upon the fond memories he has of working with Joao Cancelo, and the circumstances that also led to the defender's exit.
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'All players that have been with us I have incredible memories! I have incredible respect for Joao and everyone. Always when you take decisions it's not easy,' Guardiola admitted.
'When your boss tells you, 'You don't work. Stay at home', how would you feel? That is what players feel when you say you don't play! He has an incredible heart, but he was upset and sad because he didn't play, he LOVES to play football,' he added.
'When I said, 'Training is over', he said, 'No, no! One more! One more!' He LOVES to play football, and I'm happy he had the experience in Barcelona, and after in Al Hilal, happy he's back from injury. Joao was nominated best full-back in the year we won the Quadruple. He's an exceptional player; he can play right, left, both legs without problem.'
And while admitting he is looking forward to reuniting with the Portugal international in Orlando when Al Hilal take on Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola also appeared to reveal a link-up with Kyle Walker following his loan at AC Milan.
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'I'm happy tomorrow to see him [Joao Cancelo], like I saw Kyle [Walker] last day here, and the players that play in Juventus that played with us – always it's nice when you play these tournaments to review players that were important,' said Guardiola.
'We won many, many things with him [Cancelo], many, many things. And that remains all the time, and after the situations that happen sometimes are understandable. We had to take a decision, we took it, but it remains what we lived and the person who he is!'
Despite Kyle Walker appearing to reunite with Manchester City in the United States, the feeling remains within the club that the 35-year-old will bring a permanent end to his association with the club this summer.
While there has been tenuous interest from the likes of Everton in the Premier League, nothing concrete involving a deal for Walker is yet to develop, and it remains to be seen where he will end up come the start of the new season.