Tottenham legend Graham Roberts hailed “absolutely fantastic” Kyle Walker after he was panned by Rio Ferdinand in an off-air chat.
The Manchester United legend slammed the Manchester City right-back on BT Sport as a player who will “always be a liability at the top level” when analysing his efforts in stopping Willian in the build-up to NGolo Kante’s goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 win at the weekend.
https://twitter.com/StevieGrainger/status/1071471201573322753
Roberts claimed he does “not agree with it at all” and backed fellow ex-Spurs man Walker for following up his “superb” form in north London by “hardly putting a foot wrong in two years” at City.
Obviously off air and they are entitled to there views but I do not agree with it at all @kylewalker2 has been absolutely fantastic for Manchester City and hardly put a foot wrong in two years. He was also superb for Spurs and is a fantastic powerful full back. Also a top guy!
— Graham Roberts (@GrahamRoberts4) December 10, 2018
OPINION
Roberts’ ringing endorsement of Walker is so gushing it’s like he’s almost been paid to say it. Quite why that would be the case is uncertain as the former Spurs, Chelsea and Rangers hard man is an ambassador for the north London club and not Man City. Ferdinand’s “liability” claim may have been off-air but it had more than a hint of truth to it, and is certainly more convincing than Roberts’ view with Walker has “hardly put a foot wrong in two years”. Those who watched all Manchester City’s games would view it very differently. Certainly, the England international has blistering way and that often gets him out of trouble when he is caught out positionally. But it does not cover a multitude of sins, including sometimes iffy crossing and less-than-perfect technique. Walker is a decent player whose move to City has paid dividends and he is a regular starter under Pep Guardiola. But he is also the weakest link in the star-studded side.