Man City 'source' gives worrying update on Kyle Walker and his behaviour behind the scenes
A Manchester City source has given a worrying update on Kyle Walker amid a dismal run for him and Pep Guardiola's side.
City have won just one game in 11 all competitions after losing the Manchester derby to rivals United in a late collapse at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Leading 1-0 through a Josko Gvardiol header in the first half, United levelled matters after Matheus Nunes gave away a penalty with a reckless foul on Amad Diallo, who ended up scoring the winner after Bruno Fernandes' equaliser.
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City captain Walker was widely panned in the first half for going down after raising heads with Rasmus Hojlund, with Roy Keane laying into the England international.
The 34-year-old has been criticised for his poor displays this season and looks to be on the decline after giving away plenty of costly goals with slack defending.
A new report from Jack Gaughan from the Daily Mail takes a detailed look at Walker's struggles and the off-the-pitch problems he is also facing.
His wife and mother of their four children, Annie Kilner, filed for divorce in October and is said to be demanding half of his £27 million fortune.
But there are further details on Walker's difficult. As relayed by a City source, Walker has been playing with an injury for more than a month due to City's injury issues in defence but Guardiola has not mentioned in any interviews or press conferences.
The source also said that Walker, a big character who was voted City captain on two occasions by his teammates, has become quiet and reserved around the club's City Football Academy training complex.
It's said that the former Spurs man "flattered to deceive" in a recent nine-vs-nine game against City's young academy players - held the day after the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord.
Former City midfielder Samir Nasri, named by Walker as one of his toughest opponents over the years, had no problem calling him out after the derby defeat.
"Kyle Walker has [had] the worst defensive season of his career," Nasri said, speaking on Canal+.
"There are things that happened off the pitch that affect his performance on the pitch."
City return to action on Saturday with a tricky lunchtime trip to Aston Villa, who can go above them with a win.
SPORTbible has reached out to Manchester City.
Topics: Manchester City, Kyle Walker
Josh Lawless