Pep Guardiola identifies the greatest right-back in the world

Coach Pep Guardiola has praised Kyle Walker, stating that his former player is among the best right-backs in world football over recent years.

Currently, Walker is playing for Burnley in the 2025/26 season. Previously, he spent seven and a half years at Man City, helping the team win six Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.

In the past, Man City spent £50 million to bring Walker from Tottenham in 2017. This transfer was met with skepticism, especially after former star Gary Lineker criticized Walker’s crossing ability. However, Guardiola rarely signs players without confidence in them. Under the guidance of the renowned coach, Walker quickly demonstrated he could do much more than just cross the ball. Throughout his time at Manchester City, Walker was the first-choice right-back, appearing in 319 matches and winning a total of 18 trophies.

In the summer of 2023, Walker was named captain immediately after renewing his contract with Man City, turning down interest from Bayern Munich. He helped Man City secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title in history, but age soon took its toll. The English star had to move on loan to AC Milan after Guardiola dropped him from the squad before they parted ways. Nevertheless, the Spanish strategist has always held Walker in high regard.

Speaking about the upcoming reunion, Guardiola affirmed that Walker is one of the best defenders he has ever coached. Additionally, Guardiola highly values Walker’s speed and defensive skills — exceptional qualities he contributed during his time at Man City: “That’s for sure. To me, Walker is one of the greatest right-backs ever. He is consistent, rarely injured, always ready to play with maximum desire. He is a great role model in the locker room. I always feel confident with Walker on the pitch because he knows how to shut down opponents. Fans love and respect him deeply.”

Regarding the upcoming match against Burnley, Guardiola also updated Man City’s squad status. He confirmed that Erling Haaland is ready to return after a back injury. Meanwhile, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Omar Marmoush remain absent, while Mateo Kovacic might make a comeback.

Moreover, Guardiola admitted he is very pleased that his favorite player Phil Foden has regained his form and explosiveness after a disappointing 2023/24 season: “That’s good news for the club and the fans. Foden is always ready to take responsibility. Since he was 17 or 18, he has won titles with us on every stage. After the Arsenal match, everyone was exhausted, but Foden was immediately ready to play again. That shows his relentless dedication. His physical condition and mindset are excellent, enabling him to play matches every few days.”

According to the schedule, Man City will host Burnley this weekend before traveling to Monaco in the Champions League. These are two matches where Guardiola expects his team to secure all six points.