Kyle Walker says he went back to basics to win his place back into the Manchester City team.
Walker started just three out of 11 matches in all competitions during a spell between February and April, with Pep Guardiola making clear that the new system he had adopted for the team did not suit the 32-year-old. The City manager told reporters that the England international could not play the full-back role he required, and that there was not time to teach him before the end of the season.
However, injuries and the manager's tinkering have allowed Walker to earn his place back into the team. He was branded 'exceptional' by his manager after a 90-minute battle with Vinicius Jr at the Bernabeu as City picked up a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
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Walker admitted that being left out of the team, as well as hearing the manager's comments, had left him hurt. But the former Spurs defender.
"I have to react as a professional, he is my manager, my boss, sometimes some opinions in football you don’t always agree with but what he has done for me and Man City has been nothing short of tremendous.
"Did it hurt? Of course it did. You start to doubt yourself but you have to go back to basics to what he bought you for and prove him wrong and that is what I have done. I am one of the captains, have to make sure my disappointment isn’t shown."
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