Gary Neville has claimed that one Manchester City player could play for any team in the world — at both club and international level.
Previously, the popular pundit made such a claim about Phil Foden but he did not clarify whether he was referring to either club or international teams or both.
Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Rodri are certainly three players who not only every club but every country would welcome into their sides with open arms. Any team requires a world-class creator, right-back and defensive midfielder respectively.
Gary Neville makes huge Kyle Walker claim
In the past, perhaps pundits and fans would have made similar claims about Neville, who was a top player in his heyday.
It was no coincidence that the Englishman was Manchester United and England’s starting right-back for years on end.
However, Gary Neville has now claimed via ITV Football that Walker can get into any club or international team in the world.
Neville said: “I think he would play in any team in the world, international and at club level. When I think of his development, I look at him at Tottenham. I think he lacked that concentration and focus. I don’t actually blame him for that. I think when you are not subjected to that level of intensity every day, you just don’t know.”
Gary Neville has revealed how Walker has improved since joining Manchester City.
“Once he goes to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, his concentration and intensity is there every single day. The expectation is so high and then you see a different level of player. I have never been worried about him when the ball is on his side, against an [Kylian] Mbappe or a Vinicius Junior.”
The pundit concluded: “The problem was always when the ball was on the opposite side at the back post. You really do need to be switched on. He has improved that part of his game enormously. His leadership obviously is immense.”
The £175,000-a-week man has headed into his fifth major tournament for England. Impressively, the 34-year-old is now the Three Lions’ vice-captain as well.
Kyle Walker has been tested as a player at Man City at all times
A prime reason why Walker has developed into an elite player capable of playing for any team in world football — as Gary Neville claimed is due to how much he has been tested at Manchester City.
Previously at Tottenham Hotspur, the Englishman was expected to fulfil one role in Mauricio Pochettino’s system; being an effective high-flying right-back.
Under Pep Guardiola, Walker must have realised that being multifaceted is paramount to succeeding him.
As a result, whether it be playing as a centre-back in a back three in possession, operating as an inverted right-back, or bombing on as a right wing-back, the decorated defender has been expected to perform in a variety of roles.
Instead of throwing his toys out of the pram for being tested by Guardiola constantly, Walker has seemingly put his head down and been open to learning.
As a result, the six-time Premier League winner has developed into the superstar right-back he perhaps was not expected to be as a young prospect.
The fact that Walker is regarded at the level to play for every possible team in world football by a legendary right-back like Gary Neville speaks volumes about his development as a player.