Kyle Walker, the esteemed defender known for his exceptional speed and game-reading skills, recently disclosed the identities of the two most challenging adversaries he’s encountered in his professional journey.
Without a moment’s pause, he shared this insight on his latest podcast, ‘BBC’s You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’.
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Renowned as one of the premier defenders in the global football arena, Walker’s remarkable pace and strategic acumen make him a formidable obstacle for any forward daring to challenge him.
As an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Walker has contributed significantly to the team’s dominance in the English Premier League, securing an unprecedented four straight titles and achieving a momentous treble in 2023.
In a career adorned with battles against football legends, Walker has stood his ground against titans like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.
Yet, when it came to naming the toughest he’s faced, he overlooked this legendary trio in favor of others, a revelation made on his new podcast series.
“So, there’s two people that stand out for me, that are Neymar and [Eden] Hazard. They were the two people that you didn’t know what they were going to do,” he said.
“They’re just enjoying themselves, aren’t they? Just enjoying themselves.”
The choices made by the defender are not surprising, especially when considering the playing styles of the two mentioned athletes in relation to Walker.
Neymar and Hazard are celebrated for their exceptional dribbling skills and their agility to pivot swiftly, which is virtually the only strategy to outmaneuver someone with Walker’s defensive prowess.
Walker’s remarkable speed often deters attackers from attempting to bypass him, yet Neymar and Hazard are among the select few who have the skillset to unsettle him.
Walker has faced Hazard numerous times in the past when Hazard was with Chelsea, whereas his encounters with Neymar have been less frequent.
The veteran player has challenged Neymar in the Champions League group stages and represented England in a friendly match against Brazil in 2017.
