Burnley defender Kyle Walker has shared his thoughts on his loan move from Manchester City to AC Milan last season, expressing some regret over the timing of his departure. While the experience of playing abroad was valuable, he feels he should have stayed to support his teammates as the team captain.
Reflecting on his decision, Walker explained that he left in search of more consistent playing time. He found it difficult to sit on the bench and felt he still had a lot to offer on the pitch at a high level.
🤔 A Difficult Choice
At the time, Walker believed he was making a selfish choice by prioritising his own career needs. “For the first time probably in my career I was selfish and I thought about myself and I wanted to play football,” he admitted. The opportunity to join a major club like AC Milan was an offer he felt he couldn’t refuse, as he was eager to prove he could still perform at the top.
🤝 A Captain’s Duty
Looking back, Walker now questions if leaving mid-season was the right thing to do. As the club captain, he feels a sense of responsibility and thinks he should have remained with his “friends and people who I class as my family” at Man City, especially during a challenging period. “Looking back at it now, probably no,” he said about his decision to leave when he did.
🇮🇹 A Valuable Experience Abroad
Despite his mixed feelings, Walker doesn’t regret the chance to play in a different country. He had always wanted to experience football overseas, and his six months in Italy fulfilled that ambition. While he believes he could have performed better during his time with AC Milan, he is glad to have had the experience.
