There comes a moment in every player’s career when Father Time inevitably catches up to them. Unfortunately, we might just be witnessing that for Kyle Walker. Make no mistake, Kyle Walker is a Manchester City legend. His achievements over the past several years have often seen him lauded, defensively at least, as the best right-back in the world. It’s fair to say that Pep Guardiola’s approach might have not been as successful without his freakish physical capabilities effectively locking down the right side of the pitch.
Has Kyle Walker begun to see Father Time finally catch up to him?
This was never going to last forever. Nothing does in football. It’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore the early signs of a downturn in form for the now 34-year-old Walker. He’s, of course, still a full-back of high quality, but he maybe doesn’t carry the same dominance down the right channel that he used to. He’s become a little prone to switching off here and there, losing his man a fair few times. Even Walker’s electrifying pace feels different. The top speed is there, yes, but over a few yards, the acceleration has seemingly dulled.
Forwards are escaping from him a little easier than they used to. Chances are coming down his side of the pitch at a frequency that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. When you’re a player that leans on your physicality so aggressively it’s probably no coincidence that your decline will feel a lot more visible than it would for others with different attributes. Attributes like the ones Rico Lewis possesses for example.
Rico Lewis is a player on the rise based on his early displays this season.
Rico Lewis has been patiently waiting for his big chance for some time now, despite his tender years. It might just be paying off. The 19-year-old took another symbolic step towards a regular first-team starting spot when he was named in Lee Carsley’s first-ever England squad in place of the absent Kyle Walker. This felt notable. Sure, Walker’s been barely involved in City’s first few games given his late return. So it’s maybe no surprise that Rico got the nod. But Carsley is clearly looking towards the future, and it’s hard to not feel that Guardiola is doing the same.
Pep’s post-match comments have been full to the brim of enthusiasm and praise for the Radcliffe-born player. Rico, to put it simply, has been remarkable. His game intelligence is utterly absurd for a player so young. Parallels to Phillip Lahm may seem a little over the top, but they don’t seem too fanciful based on his progression so far this season. His understanding of the space around him is not normal. Lewis has an incredible ability to always be available for others, drifting into the ‘pockets’, while dragging defenders away from the explosive brilliance of City’s forward players.
Add to this the fact that he simply doesn’t waste the ball, dribbling out of tight spots with an almost Bernardo-esque combination of immense determination and technical mastery, and you have some player – a player that’s now impressing defensively too. He may not be the biggest, but his positional sense is excellent, and he often touches tight to defenders when facing up to them one-on-one, making it hard for forwards to get their shots away. It feels different to the Rico that first broke through during the treble season. There’s an understanding of senior football that’s come with time. He’s ready.
Summary.
Of course, it’s very much early days still. Walker will inevitably find his way back into the team, but it does feel different this time. There’s a dynamism down City’s right-hand side right now, which is hard not to notice. Be it Oscar Bobb or Savinho, Rico has looked incredibly comfortable linking up with either. Their energy and movement has proved far too much for opposition defences to handle. It’s a clear change to last season’s approach down City’s right-hand side. Maybe it’s a much-needed shot of adrenaline to keep this City side evolving.
Time does not wait around for anyone, especially not at the highest levels of the sport. While I have no doubt that Walker’s story has plenty more pages left at City, sometimes you can’t deny what’s in front of your eyes. Rico Lewis was made for this Manchester City side. There’s an impressive hunger and maturity to his game that makes him impossible to ignore. This could just be the season where he finally leaves his mark on this City side and takes that step towards claiming a starting spot at right-back. The hunger and desire is there, now he just needs a chance. So far the omens are good.
