‎Kyle Walker Admits Regret Over 'Selfish' Decision to Leave Manchester City for AC Milan

‎Kyle Walker has confessed that leaving Manchester City for AC Milan last season was a mistake, calling the decision “selfish” and acknowledging that he should have stayed to support his teammates during a difficult period under Pep Guardiola.

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‎Kyle Walker reflects on his ‘selfish’ loan move from Manchester City to AC Milan, admitting he should have stayed to help his struggling teammates.

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‎The England international joined AC Milan on a six-month loan deal in January, hoping to rediscover his form after a disappointing start to the campaign. The right-back had struggled with fitness and performance levels as City endured their worst spell of results under Guardiola. The defending champions, missing key midfielder Rodri due to injury, found themselves off the pace and eventually lost the title race to Liverpool.

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‎Walker’s decision to move abroad was made during City’s slump, a move he now views as ill-timed. The experienced defender revealed that his frustration at being benched drove his desire to seek regular football elsewhere, but he admits he should have remained to lead the team through adversity.

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‎Reflecting on that period, Walker told Sky Sports that leaving Manchester City felt wrong in hindsight. “I was the captain, so I was the first one in line when things weren’t going well,” he explained. “At that time in the season, should I have left? Looking back now, probably no. I should have stayed by my teammates, my friends, and people I class as family. For the first time in my career, I was selfish and thought about myself.”

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‎Walker also revealed that he was eager to prove his worth at the highest level again and found AC Milan’s offer impossible to turn down. However, his time in Italy was disrupted by inconsistent performances and an elbow fracture, preventing the club from pursuing a permanent deal.

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‎The defender has since returned to England, joining newly-promoted Burnley in the summer. He stated that his short spell in Serie A was still valuable, offering him a new perspective and the experience of playing abroad. “I don’t regret it because I always wanted to play overseas,” he said. “I’m glad I did the six months, but I probably could have done a bit better.”

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‎Walker’s move to Burnley surprised many fans, given his track record as a six-time Premier League champion. After a turbulent year on and off the pitch, he now aims to use his leadership and top-flight experience to strengthen Burnley’s defence and guide them in their fight for Premier League survival.

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‎The Clarets, led by Scott Parker, have had a challenging start to the season with just four points from seven games. Their only win came against Sunderland, with another point earned in a draw with Nottingham Forest. Despite their low position, the side has shown resilience, narrowly losing to Manchester United and Liverpool in matches where they pushed both teams to the limit.

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‎Walker’s focus now lies on helping Burnley achieve stability in the top flight and rebuilding his career after a turbulent year that included professional struggles and intense media scrutiny over his personal life. The veteran defender’s experience and determination could prove crucial in Burnley’s long battle to remain in the Premier League.