The “real characters” within Manchester City’s dressing room are about to emerge, says club captain Kyle Walker, following the team’s fourth consecutive defeat.
Pep Guardiola’s side heads into the season’s final international break with four losses in a row, having exited the Carabao Cup in the fourth round.
After a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at their stadium, City repeated the scoreline against Bournemouth. They then faced a crushing loss in the UEFA Champions League to Sporting, despite taking an early lead. A similar scenario played out just days later at the Amex Stadium, where City again took the lead, only to concede twice within five minutes in the final stages against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Following Manchester City’s 2-1 loss on Saturday, Walker acknowledged there are “many reasons” behind these results but emphasized the chance for the team to reveal its “real characters” as they “prepare to go through the mud” after the break.
“There’s many reasons; there’s form, there’s how you’re feeling on a day-to-day,” Walker told reporters at the Amex Stadium.
“You come in, and it’s tough, but we’ve been very fortunate over the last eight years to have a lot of success. So this is the time you show character; this is the time when you stick your wellies on and go through the mud because, as a group of players who’ve been here a long time, we’ve never really experienced this.”
“Now we get to see the real characters—those who will push through and fight to achieve something special by the end of the year,” he added.
When asked about the team’s plans to bounce back and whether there’s cause for immediate concern, Walker explained, “It’s down to us as a group of players, us as a club, everyone who’s there day in, day out, to ensure that we’re fighting. We’re fighting for this great club that’s had a lot of success over the years.”
“We’ve never done this—never gone four games without a win. And, for it to come at this period, you could say it’s better now than at the gritty end of the season, but still, it’s tough to take. I can assure you everyone wants to turn it around as quickly as possible.”
Kyle Walker is one of two Manchester City players called up for international duty by Lee Carsley for England and joined the team fully fit, while Jack Grealish and Phil Foden withdrew on Monday evening.
The list of City players missing from international duty due to fitness and injury issues now includes Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes, and Rodri.
