Football: Walker’s flashing incident a private issue, says Guardiola
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Manchester City's Kyle Walker allegedly flashed himself in front of two women at a bar near Manchester.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to comment on Kyle Walker being probed by the police,
The incident was reported to have happened last Sunday, a day after City beat Newcastle United 2-0
A video posted on The Sun’s website appeared to show Walker flashing himself in front of two women, whom he then engaged in conversation.
“A private issue. We solve it internally with him. This is not the place to discuss private issues,” Guardiola told reporters.
When asked if players need to be more careful with their actions in public, he added: “Definitely, it is completely different from years ago. They know it.
“When you open the door at home (to go out) they need to know they will be filmed whatever they do. That is society.”
Walker was spotted in training this week and it is believed that he is free to continue playing, as City hope to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal when they travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Guardiola’s men have won four of their last five league matches and are five points behind the Gunners (63), who will take on Fulham away on Sunday.
“Premier League every game away is difficult, at home as well,” the City boss said.
“Crystal Palace always the previous seasons, especially when they are at home, we struggle a lot to get results.”
Having won four of the last five Premier League titles, City know exactly what is required of them at the business end of the season, be it in the league or in the Cup competitions.
Following frustrating 1-1 draws with Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig, their experience has proved vital at the right time as Guardiola’s men have now scored nine times in their last three matches.
They beat Bournemouth 4-1, Bristol City 3-0 before the win over Newcastle, and are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.
While City’s overall form is picking up, it is the Premier League that matters the most on Saturday.
Guardiola will be wary that his team have already dropped more points away from home this season (15) than in the whole of the 2021-22 campaign (11).
City have also failed to win three of their last six encounters with Palace.
But they beat Patrick Vieira’s men 4-2 earlier this season at the Etihad, with Erling Haaland netting his first Premier League hat-trick.
Guardiola will have an almost full squad to pick from, with Phil Foden just a slight doubt.
Palace, in 12th, are the clear underdogs as they are on a nine-game winless run in the league, comprising four defeats and five draws.
However, they have frustrated opponents at Selhurst Park in the last two months.
They drew their last four home games against Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United – sides in the top eight.
Cheick Doucoure is suspended for the clash, while Sam Johnstone and Nathan Ferguson are injured.
