Yahoo Sports Walker talks upbringing in Sheffield, career to date, idols and Milan tattoo pledge
Kyle Walker has once again expressed his delight after joining AC Milan from Manchester City, pledging to get a tattoo to join his others.
Having been announced as a new signing last week, Walker was in the stands for Milan’s game against Parma at San Siro on Sunday and he must have been wondering exactly what he has gotten himself into.
Trailing 2-1 with 90 minutes on the clock, the Rossoneri scored twice in added time through Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze to steal a win right at the end. Then, he saw the coach Sergio Conceicao nearly brawl with Davide Calabria on the field at full-time.
While it may not be too far a cry from what has been a pretty chaotic season at Manchester City by their usual standards, it is certainly the kind of introduction to Italian football that leaves a big impression.
Walker was a guest on the latest edition of ‘Face-Off’ in which Milan TV host Simone Nobilini plays a new signing at foosball while asking questions about their life and career.
What is behind your pre-match routine of spitting water into the air?
“I was a big fan of wrestling as a kid. I do it like Triple H, who’s my favorite wrestler. It’s like stepping into a ring when I play football, it’s just become a good luck ritual that I’ve had since I was a kid.”
Why number 32?
“For David Beckham, it’s an icon for me. I saw that he was free and I took it. Then it contains the number that I’ve often had in my career, which is 2.”
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What does it feel like to be at Milan?
“It’s something great, as a kid I always followed AC Milan and now wearing these colours makes me proud and I hope it will be a positive second half of the season.”
Tell us about your academy…
“I come from Sheffield, there are few opportunities, there are a lot of kids who are on the streets and don’t have the chance to make it as footballers. I was one of them and I was very lucky to become a footballer.
“So I wanted to give something back to the city I come from and I think if I can help even just one person to realise their dreams I will have achieved my goal.”
You are someone who does a lot of gym work…
“In modern football, it’s no longer enough to just do what your genetics have given you. I feel that if I can add something with my gym work that makes me stronger, faster and more efficient, it’s right that I do it.
“I thank my mum and dad for the characteristics they’ve given me, but you can give more, and I feel that I’m still hungry for victories, I want to continue playing football for as long as possible.”
Did you speak to anyone before joining?
“I spoke to Abraham, I asked him what the city is like and what it’s like to play for Milan. From the outside you have the perception that it’s a great club where great players like Kakà, Ronaldinho, Beckham, Maldini have played.
“They are all players who have inspired me. Now I’m here too. Abraham told me that I had to come here and this contributed to my decision.”
How would you describe your career to this point?
“I think I’ve gone beyond my dreams. As a kid, playing for Sheffield United was my dream. Then I had great years at Tottenham, but we didn’t win what we should have.
“Then I went to Manchester City and won 17 trophies in 7 years, it was incredible, especially the Champions League. We won the Treble, it was fantastic. But just being able to play football is a dream come true.”
You were born on May 28, the same day that Milan won the Champions League in Manchester…
“Let’s hope there are more finals and that we can write more history.”
What are your impressions of the fans?
“They are incredible. They have a great passion. Here they live for football, it was one of the main reasons why I decided to come here. I want to feel all their passion. For them, singing the chants and cheering really means everything. They must continue because we need their push.”
You have played at San Siro before, and even in goal…
“It was a surreal experience, the choice was between me and Stones. He and I always made fun of goalkeepers who didn’t save. The coach chose me in the end.
“Would I want to do it again? Probably not. It was difficult, but the team needed it at that moment to reach the objective in the Champions League, and I managed to get away with that free kick.”
Why do you put pressure on goalkeepers in training?
“As a defender you need to have a good relationship with the goalkeepers. I always want to motivate my teammates, push them and myself to become stronger.
“In the team we need to know that we can rely on each other. So little friendly jokes are always good, they also help to make everyone give 110% in training.”
Who would you like to thank?
“My grandfather who passed away. He was the first one to take me to Sheffield United games, bought me a season ticket, so it’s thanks to him that I had the chance to watch my team as a boy.”
How did you become a full-back?
“It was a manager at Sheffield United who turned me into a full-back. I didn’t play much as a central striker, I was quick but small, so the opponents pushed me away. Our right-back got injured and the manager asked me if I could play there.
“I played, it went well and two months later I was in the first team. So it was a bit of a coincidence. I enjoyed being in that position, I enjoyed the challenge and testing myself.”
Who are your idols in football and beyond?
“I watched a lot of Premier League, besides that, Dani Alves is someone I was inspired by, Philipp Lahm. If you could combine the two players into one you would have a complete right back.
“Thinking about now I try to adapt my qualities and my characteristics that I have, the things that I can improve, I try to always give 110% when I step on the pitch. I hope that one day people will be inspired by me.”
You have quite a few tattoos…
“The ones on my left leg, because it’s a journey through my football. There’s the logo of Tottenham, Sheffield United, Manchester City, now I’ll have to get the one for Milan.”
Now, a new adventure at Milan…
“I’m really happy to wear this shirt and play for this club. We hope to end the season well. The Champions League is going well, in the league we all know we can do better.
“I want to share my experience with the younger players to play with passion, this is what we have to show, the fans deserve it.”
