‘It’s OK to feel that way’, ‘Rico literally spawned out of nowhere’ – Man City fans react as Walker left ‘disgruntled’ after losing place in starting XI

Kyle Walker is reportedly unhappy with a lack of playing time at Manchester City of late, with Pep Guardiola starting Rico Lewis at right-back recently.

Since the end of the World Cup and the return of club football, the 32 year-old star has started just 2 games out of 6, with Rico Lewis preferred at right-back.

Lewis, who often operates in a deep-lying midfield role when in possession, has been a shining light during a largely difficult period for Manchester City following the FIFA World Cup.

Given the competition for places and some players retaining high levels of performance in recent weeks, some individuals have been left unhappy with their game time or missing out on starting line-ups as a whole.

One such name is Kyle Walker – as reported by the Athletic this week, as part of a new, in-depth coverage of the feeling within Pep Guardiola’s squad and where such feelings leave them in relation to the upcoming summer transfer window.

Sam Lee states that Walker is one of the players that manager Pep Guardiola had referred to recently, when cryptically discussing ‘body language’.

It is further highlighted that Kyle Walker has been ‘disgruntled’ at losing his place in the Manchester City team since returning from England duties at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

However, it is made clear that ‘things have improved recently’, and clarifying that there is no similarity between Walker’s recent mood and the situation that ultimately led to Joao Cancelo joining Bayern Munich on deadline day.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@zangetsutoter: “All this because of an 18 year old.”

@BennetonF1Team: “Players getting upset that they are losing their place due to them not being better than their counter part is crazy to me.”

@wakssssssa: “Rico Lewis really put a hit out on these full backs.”

@ashley___04: “He’ll stay, I really wish Rico lewis was a left back.”

@supkintsugi: “it’s okay to feel that way but he must fight for his place. can’t complain at the first sight of competition”

@SaneBxrner: “Rico literally spawned out of nowhere and pissed off both of our “world class” fullbacks hes deadarse that guy.”

@YungHusband_: “It’s OK to feel that way but one thing about Walker, he’s a fighter. Unlike some people who can’t compete & just run away..”

@Mark_tom01: “It’s not that he’s better it’s just that he offers something that suits the playing style Pep has adopted, that is going inside. If the other full backs played that way, they wouldn’t play very well and pep doesn’t like that. I still think Walker is so much better.”

@a779457: “Kyle’s a professional who will give his all for the club. He might have been unhappy but still a huge asset to the club. Not worried about him at all personally..”