Champions League final will be decided by 'big players in big moments': Kyle Walker

The English defender will be playing in his first Champions League final when Manchester City play Chelsea on Saturday at Porto.

File photo - Kyle Walker playing for Manchester City; Credit: Twitter/@kylewalker2
By Sreejith C R | May 29, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker expects a “tough game” when they face Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday.  Both sides have faced each other three times this season and Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea came out on top twice. Whereas, City won 3-1 at the start of the year when the Blues were coached by Frank Lampard. It will be the English right-back’s first appearance in the Champions League final.

But Walker feels that the match will be decided by the “big players in the big moments” and the team owned by Sheikh Mansour has plenty of World football’s big names.

Walker said: “Knowing them and playing them as many times as we have played them, it’s going to be a little bit of a chess game.

“I think it comes down to big players in big moments and special moments, and hopefully we have enough of those players to go and grab those special moments.

“Chelsea are good opponents. They’ve had the upper hand on us a few times this season, so we do owe them one. It’s going to be a tough game that we need to come out on top (of).”

Playing in Champions League final ‘a childhood dream’

The 31-year-old who joined the Citizens in 2017 from Tottenham has already won three Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup. The Champions League title is the only major trophy missing from his cabin.  

The defender added: “It’s the one trophy I’m missing. Since I’ve been here I’ve managed to pick up everything that I’ve been involved in bar the Champions League.

“I think it’s probably the pinnacle of club football. To play in a Champions League final is something that you dream about as a child.

“Just hearing that anthem and walking past the trophy is going to be a very, very special moment. I’ve never seen it so I’ll take a good look and, hopefully, I’ll be holding it come the end of the game.

“But I don’t want to sit here and sound cocky or anything like that. It’s going to be a really, really tough game.”

Walker is a having a very good season for City. He has been a pivotal part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.

His pace down the right flank and strong defensive abilities makes him one of the best right-backs in the world. He also has the ability to play on the right side of a back three.





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