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Manchester Metropolis have not had one of the best of begins within the 2025/26 marketing campaign as they’ve solely managed seven factors from the primary 5 league video games.
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Nevertheless, they’re all set to host newly promoted Burnley at Etihad on Saturday, September 27 as Pep Guardiola want to win and climb up the standings.
Metropolis are at the moment in ninth place within the factors desk however they’re heading to this fixture following a 2-0 win over Huddersfield within the EFL Cup and a 1-1 draw in opposition to Arsenal within the Premier League away from residence.
Forward of the sport, Guardiola showered reward on former Metropolis star Kyle Walker, who has joined Burnley this summer time after his contract acquired expired.
This would be the first time Walker will return to Etihad after leaving Metropolis and due to this fact is it extraordinarily particular for the 35-year-old.
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He was a vital a part of Guardiola’s decade lengthy profession at Metropolis, and the duo have received a number of accolades collectively throughout their time for the Residents.
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Therefore, the Spaniard labelled him as one of many biggest fullbacks to grace the sport primarily as a result of his affect at Metropolis in serving to them win six Premier League titles, a crown and a few FA Cups.
“[He is] one of many biggest full-backs ever,” Guardiola informed the reporters forward of the Burnley conflict. “Completely he deserves it. I am fairly positive all people can be glad to see him.
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“It was an unbelievable few years for us and he was the right-back who outlined our time right here within the final 9 or 10 years.
“I am fairly positive he’ll get the gratitude of our followers.”
Walker was a vital participant for Manchester Metropolis underneath Guardiola
Walker moved to Metropolis in 2017 when he made the change from Tottenham Hotspur and at Etihad, he established himself as one in every of Metropolis’s modern-day legends.
He featured in 319 appearances for the Residents over eight trophy crammed illustrious years on the membership, some as captain.
Kyle Walker, Manchester Metropolis
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Guardiola highlighted how he was relieved to have Walker in his staff together with his effectivity of coping with winger. “If you needed to management that aspect with the wingers, I slept like a child earlier than the video games with Kyle there. He may deal with prime, top-class wingers on this planet together with his velocity.”
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“An unimaginable determine within the locker room … all the time being there within the good and the unhealthy moments.
“After all (final) season was robust for everybody, for him, for all of us. However I do not like to guage one conduct for a brief time period. He was unbelievable.”
The 35-year-old spent half of his final season at AC Milan on mortgage earlier than becoming a member of Scott Parker’s Burnley FC after his contract with Metropolis expired this summer time.
Since becoming a member of the Clarets, he has been invaluable to Parker’s protection bringing management and expertise to a Burnley aspect who’re decided to keep away from the drop this season from the English prime flight.
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Nevertheless, Walker may have a tricky process at hand in coping with Metropolis’s potent assault led by Erling Haaland.
Burnley have solely mustered 4 factors after 5 league video games and their solely win this season got here at residence in opposition to Sunderland.
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