It’s often revealing to hear footballers talk about their teammates. When so much time is spent training, competing and living in such close proximity, very little remains hidden. So when a footballer presents an honest view of a teammate, you get a unique assessment which contributes to a better understanding of the player.
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker recently offered an insight into how he and the team view their captain Ilkay Gundogan. “I’ve been joking with Gundo that he turns into prime Zidane in the last few months [of a season],” Walker said before City’s demolition of Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal. “Sometimes you have to shine, and he does it at the business end of the season. That’s just what these players do — they’re born winners.”
Zinedine Zidane had a reputation for producing moments of game-winning magic on the big stage. So when Walker draws a parallel with the iconic World Cup-winning French midfielder, it tells you just how highly the City players regard Gundogan, who has made a habit of turning up under pressure when his side most desperately needs him.
