NO WALK IN THE PARK
Kyle Walker facing AC Milan baptism of fire with Serie A giants in an even bigger mess than Man City
Walker witnessed an astonishing exchange during last Sunday's match
KYLE WALKER left a Manchester City team in a bit of a pickle — but nothing compared to the Milan mess he walked into.
The England right-back faces a Serie A baptism of fire against city rivals Inter at the San Siro on Sunday.
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Milan consider the arrival of City skipper Walker, 34, a major coup and want him to bring leadership to a group that seems seriously flaky.
Signed on loan with a view to a £4million summer move, he joins fellow Englishmen Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and on loan Tammy Abraham at the club.
Walker watched from the San Siro stands on Sunday as new Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao and defender Davide Calabria had a heated exchange on the pitch after a 3-2 comeback win over Parma.
Conceicao was appointed on December 30 after the sacking of Paulo Fonseca and is concerned by the squad’s attitude.
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Calabria and Loftus-Cheek were among a group of players who went to see a rapper perform in Milan 48 hours before the game — and this has been seen as unprofessional.
Although they are through to the Champions League play-off round, Milan are seventh in Serie A and facing a battle to qualify for Europe next season.
To make matters worse, Inter are in a two-way title battle with Napoli.
Milan’s ultras protested outside a private event marking the 125th anniversary of the club’s foundation — with much criticism of American owners RedBird Capital Partners.
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Club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic — now a senior advisor and operating partner — and president Gerry Cardinale had to enter through a side entrance.
Ibra’s commitment has been questioned given the time he spends on Austria’s ski slopes.
Kyle Walker takes England legend's old shirt number after completing 'incredible' AC Milan loan transfer
Cardinale is criticised for not being in Italy enough and caused uproar by selling Sandro Tonali to Newcastle in 2023.
Ibrahimovic hosted a lengthy 40-minute unveiling press conference with Walker this week.
He oddly said: “Kyle was not necessarily an objective we were looking at.
“The opportunity arose, we had our fingers on the pulse and it was better having him than not having him."
Walker becomes the club’s SEVENTH right-back this term, including centre-half Tomori who struggled in that position in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Dinamo Zagreb.
Although he has lost some of his pace and struggled for form and fitness over the last nine months, Milan officials believe Walker will be able to deal with Italian football.
But Tomori, who has played 163 times for Milan since signing in 2021, has not been in good form. He is unlikely to play on Sunday and may be sold.
The same applies to Loftus-Cheek, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
He enjoyed a good season last term, but is not suited to the attacking midfield role he has been asked to play.
Abraham — on loan from Roma — has just six goals so far.
Another Brit abroad to make Europe’s fashion capital his home is Walker’s mate Dele Alli, who joined nearby Como.
English players have often found Italian football tough in the past although David Beckham is remembered fondly for his two loan spells at Milan.
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And Walker has taken the same shirt number as Beckham wore at Milan - 32.
Whether he will become as popular remains to be seen.
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