Capello reflects on Walker’s England debut and insists: ‘He will make the difference’ | OneFootball

Fabio Capello believes that Kyle Walker has the ability ‘to dominate in Italy for at least a couple of years’ despite turning 35 in May, and has explained why he deserved to hand him his England debut all the way back in 2011.

Reports on Wednesday afternoon confirm that Milan and Manchester City have reached a full agreement for the Englishman’s transfer, and that he will arrive in Italy on Thursday ahead of his medicals with the Rossoneri.

The 34-year-old will move to San Siro on an initial loan deal until the end of the 2024-25 season for free, and Milan will then have an option to make the deal permanent for a €5m fee in the summer. There is already an agreement in place for a contract until the summer of 2027.

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Capello: ‘Kyle has the physical integrity to dominate in Italy’

Capello believes that Milan are ‘adding a champion’ to their ranks with the six-time Premier League winner, and feels that his signing is a statement of intent from the Rossoneri board.

“I believe that Kyle has the physical integrity to dominate in Italy for at least a couple of years,” the former England and Milan coach said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We saw it during the EUROs and in the Champions League before that: Go and watch the recovery he made on Vinicius Jr. in the last match between City and Real Madrid just a few months ago. On Vinicius!”

MAY 17: Kyle Walker of Manchester City battles for possession with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Asked if he thinks Milan are signing a ‘champion’, Capello added: I would say, calmly, yes. Walker is a full-back who knows how to push, and most importantly, has quality in ball management and in the final third. If he is one of the full-backs, there is no confusion.

“Additionally, he brings experience and leadership of a player who has won things at the highest level. I don’t think Guardiola would make just anybody captain of a team that is capable of winning the Champions League.

Though he has played in a back three on multiple occasions for England, Capello believes there is not too much point in playing Walker in the middle for Milan.

“He’s got the maturity, personality and experience to do it in emergency situations. But if you buy an exceptional full-back, then I think it’s better to use him in the position where he has proved himself as one of the best in the world, right?”

Capello on handing Walker his England debut

Kyle Walker of England controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Capello was the first England manager to utilise Walker for the Three Lions all the way back in 2011: A cameo appearance in a 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley.

Explaining why he decided to play the then 21-year-old, Capello said: ‘First of all his speed: A quality that he has maintained over time.

“At that point he was still playing for Tottenham. He was a promising young guy, he just needed a little bit of discipline in marking. And it seems to me that he’s grown up and succeeded in a big way.”