Kyle Walker named Man City captain for Bayern Munich friendly as Pep Guardiola issues statement to German champions amid their pursuit of the England defender
- The England international has a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad
- Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will fight to keep hold of Kyle Walker
- Bayern Munich are trying to land the England defender in a shock swoop
Kyle Walker has been named captain for Manchester City‘s pre-season fixture against Bayern Munich amid the German champions’ pursuit of the defender this summer.
Pep Guardiola‘s side continue their preparations for the new season against the Bavarian giants at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday.
And Walker, who has only a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad, is set to lead out the Citizens.
The decision comes a day after the City boss vowed to fight to keep hold of the 33-year-old amid intense speculation linking him with a move away.
‘Kyle is incredibly important for us,’ Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday. ‘He has specific qualities that are so difficult to find out wide.
Kyle Walker (centre) has only one year remaining on his contract with Manchester City
City boss Pep Guardiola has said the defender is still very important to the club’s plans – with Thomas Tuchel chasing him
‘I don’t know what’s going to happen. Both clubs are in touch. We will fight for him like I’m sure Bayern will. I don’t know how it will finish.’
Walker featured 39 times for City last season but was omitted from the starting line-up for their Champions League final win against Inter Milan last month.
The defender admitted he was ‘gutted’ to be left out of the final but revealed he had delivered an emotional pre-match speech to his team mates before they secured a historic treble.
Walker has spent six seasons in Manchester since his arrival from Tottenham, winning five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
