Kyle Walker reveals Man City treble motivation

Kyle Walker has won everything but the Champions League
Kyle Walker has won everything but the Champions League / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages
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Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has revealed that a desire to emulate Manchester United's treble-winning team from 1999 is serving as motivation ahead of Saturday's Champions League final.

City are seeking to become only the second English team in history to complete the treble – Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League – and are two thirds of the way there.

Pep Guardiola's side reeled in long-time league leaders Arsenal to finish top of the pile for the third straight season, before claiming the FA Cup for the first time in four years with victory over the current Manchester United at Wembley last weekend.

City reached the Champions League final for the first time in 2021, but lost to Chelsea. They were also on the cusp of getting there again in 2022, only to throw away a late aggregate lead in the semi-final against Real Madrid, eventually losing in extra-time.

Walker has suggested that the difference between City, for all their domestic domination in recent years, and United remains elusive Champions League glory.


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"That [1999] United team, along with the [2004 Arsenal] Invincibles, is probably up there with the best Premier League teams of all time," Walker explained.

"What us and Liverpool, to a certain extent, have done where we have been battling for the last number of years, should be in consideration – both teams as we both have fantastic players.

"But for us to be in contention of being able to talk [in the same breath as United and Arsenal] we need to go and pick up the Champions League. But by no stretch of the imagination do we just turn up on Saturday and win it. It’s not that. Inter Milan need to be considered as a great team."


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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss Ange Postecoglou's appointment at Spurs, Man Utd chasing Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Kane to Real Madrid, Lionel Messi & more!

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