Kyle Walker admits Manchester City exit has given him ‘new lease of life’ as future discussed | OneFootball

Manchester City’s out-on-loan right-back Kyle Walker has made a staggering claim over his top-level career since joining AC Milan on loan until the end of the season.

Many supporters were left stunned at the midway stage of the ongoing season when the club’s re-appointed captain opted to bring an end to his time with Manchester City amid a difficult campaign on both a personal and collective note.

With struggles ongoing in the UEFA Champions League and Premier League at the time, Walker felt it was in his best interests to leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge outside of English football, opening the door for proposals during the January market.

While there had been interest from various clubs in Italy and Saudi Arabia, it was ultimately the prospect of joining AC Milan that proved most attractive to the Premier League right-back, who no doubt leaves England with a staggering legacy in the game.

And speaking to GQ Magazine earlier this month, Manchester City’s on-loan defender has admitted that his move away from the club to the Italian giants has meant he has been given a “new lease of life”.

“I’m not a guy that looks too far ahead. I like to take small steps at a time and that’s just how I’ve done my career,” Walker responded when quizzed on what the future holds for him, perhaps even beyond his loan at the San Siro until the end of the ongoing season.

“So if you ask me what the game is in three weeks, I wouldn’t know because I concentrate solely on the next game. The first two weeks in Milan have been fantastic,” he continued. “The fans have been excellent. The food is great.

“The weather can improve a little bit. It’s not been sunny as yet [laughs] but I’m waiting until March. I’m fully enjoying it. It’s given me a new lease of life where I can just solely concentrate on football and fall back in love with the game.

“I’m not saying that I fell out of love with the game, but to play in the Premier League against the same players after winning everything, this is something I needed to re-energise the love I have for football.”

Walker is unlikely to make a return to Manchester City during the coming summer, with AC Milan holding an option to buy the defender permanently for a fee understood to be in the region of €5 million.

Pep Guardiola will have to make do with his existing options in the right-back role for the remainder of the season, but is perhaps aware of the fact that a more traditional right-back option will need to be brought in during the summer.

Among the names to have attracted early attention from Manchester City is Newcastle United and England international Tino Livramento, who has been on the radar of the Etihad Stadium side for several seasons.