Italian press brutally mock Kyle Walker's 'failed' AC Milan loan spell - as they urge the Italian giants not to sign him permanently from Man City amid family drama
The Italian press have claimed that 'failure has the face of [Kyle] Walker', providing a brutal assessment of the full-back's torrid time at AC Milan as uncertainty engulfs his career in Italy.
The 35-year-old made the loan switch to the Rossoneri in January, ending a seven-and-a-half-year stint at Manchester City, which was littered with gold.
His Italy switch came amid family drama off the pitch, with Walker fighting for his marriage with the mother of four of his children, Annie Kilner, after also fathering two kids with his influencer ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman.
After a bright start to life in the country's fashion capital - going unbeaten in his first three starts - Walker's form drastically dipped as Milan finished a surprisingly low eighth place in Serie A.
Reports earlier this month claimed that the seven-time European Cup winners had decided against paying the £4.2million fee to keep him permanently, which would mean the England defender would be forced to return to City.
And it's clear that Italian media outlet Tuttosport are fans of that notion, as they mocked Walker for his struggles in Milan.
The newspaper seems fairly certain that Walker will not spend next season in black and red, instead making his way back to Manchester.
Tuttosport lambasted Walker's time at the club as a disaster, with the harshest line - by far - reading: 'Failure has the face of Walker.'
They also claimed that all he will be remembered for is his water-spitting prior to matches. Walker famously drinks water before spraying it into the air, which has made for some cool pictures.
He was berated for imitating 'his role model' Triple H - real name Paul Levesque - who used to do the same water-spitting action while wrestling in the WWE, where he is now chief content officer.
Walker's personal life issues are believed to have affected his time in Milan, according to Tuttosport, and there is no way that he can continue at the Rossoneri.
Last month, Italian outlet Calciomercato also claimed that the former Tottenham star's elbow injury paired with Alex Jimenez's impressive form at right-wing back are said to have convinced Milan's hierarchy against a permanent move.
Jimenez, who is just 20, was originally signed for Milan's under-23 side but has made 20 appearances in Serie A this season, compared to Walker's 11.
Walker said he 'wanted to cry' when he left City and previously admitted he didn't think his time at the Etihad was over.
'After I said my goodbyes, Pep [Guardiola] got up and spoke and said a really nice message to me, just saying thank you for everything,' Walker said on his BBC podcast.
'But listen, it's not over. I'm just on loan here. I've got to take that into consideration that I can go back.
'Obviously, both parties need to come to an agreement come the end of the season. The chapter's not fully closed, we'll see what happens.'
The treble-winner wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium over diminishing game time, fearful of how it would impact his international career. Walker featured in both of Thomas Tuchel's opening World Cup qualifiers in March.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
37 minutes ago
- BBC News
TT fans tell of passion for racing 'fix' each year
Fans of the Isle of Man TT have told how they never miss the annual race spectacular in search of their "fix" of the "addictive" event each two-week festival, which sees racing on the 37.7-mile (61km) course of closed public roads, attracts thousands of visitors from across the them, Jon Stones from North Lincolnshire said: "You just cannot beat the screaming noise of those bikes going flat out - I need that fix every year".Having regularly visited the races with his wife since 2016, he continued: "We get the ferry over and when you spot the island in the distance we think 'here we go again' and you can't wait." Rachel Stones said: "It's not something thing that was in my blood until I came with my husband, but now I wouldn't swap it."You can't describe it to people who have never been, it is just so addictive." Curt Chapman from Reno, Nevada, visited in 2017 and said "I knew I had to get back at some point" because it was "such an amazing experience".It had been the "easiest sell ever" to encourage his friends to join him to witness the "spectacle" up close in 2015, he said. The biker said a group of 15 had travelled separately from the USA, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Germany to meet up on the island and "enjoy the most amazing event the exists in the motorcycle world"."It's such an absurd event, its so ridiculous racing on public roads, I just love that part of it," he said."I admire this whole event and the people that dare to do it." Despite delays and schedule changes, Dinny Collins from Dublin said the racing had so far had been "class" with Michael Dunlop getting his 30th TT win on Monday being a highlight."I'm fan of all the riders, I'd like to see Dean Harrison win again and Dunlop to win heaps more," he been "into bikes his whole life", he said he finally managed to make it to the races in 2023."The atmosphere and the excitement is awesome, so now we'll have to come back every year," he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Times
43 minutes ago
- Times
10 of the best Airbnbs in Rome
When it comes to operatic splendour, few places can compete with storied, sensual Rome. With its piazzas and priceless ruins casually crumbling on street corners, the Centro Storico (historic centre) stretches for nearly nine miles between the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls and the Janiculum Walls. It's essentially a triangle with Piazza del Popolo in the north, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain to the east, and the Pantheon and Piazza Navona to the west. Featuring about 25,000 archaeological and historic sites, the Centro Storico is the place to stay if you're a first-time visitor. Of course, most other tourists also have the same idea, and the areas around Piazza del Popolo, Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona can be heaving — but it is magical to step out of your front door into the heart of the action. Although still in the Centro Storico, more residential areas such as Monti, Trastevere and Prati are within about 30 minutes' walk from the major sites, but have a far more Roman feel. Meanwhile, up-and-coming Pigneto is about three miles away — and is arguably the cooler and better-value option for return travellers. The city's hotel scene has matured magnificently since F Scott Fitzgerald's flea-ridden stay at the Grand in the 1920s, as described in his essay collection The Crack-Up. However, given that it attracts more than 30 million tourists every year, the chance to feel like you live in Rome — no matter how briefly — is intoxicating. Aside from being more affordable than hotels in the Centro Storico, private rentals also offer the opportunity to have a privileged glimpse of life as a local. Whether you seek a bibliophile's bolt hole or a penthouse for aperitivo soirées, here's where to call home in the Eternal City. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££ | SLEEPS 4 | Best for bibliophiles If you dream of moving to Rome to write a novel, this is the apartment in which to do it. In a low-slung, ochre-painted building on a quiet street in Trastevere, it is brimming with character and books. Aside from a large wooden wardrobe, the master bedroom is elegantly pared back — but the study, which contains a sofa bed, is covered with leather-bound volumes from floor to wonky wooden ceiling. All of the rooms have air conditioning, but this spot is best suited to the shoulder or winter season when you can eat tortellini in meat broth and then curl up on the sofa and set to work on your masterpiece — or read one that's already there. • Read our full guide to Rome £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for value for location In the former stable blocks of Palazzo Lancellotti, this studio is owned by the Lancellotti family, who also own the quiet piazza itself — and its ancient olive tree, which the apartment overlooks. Although small, its vaulted ceilings, mezzanine bed and intricately patterned floor — made with antique marble from imperial Rome — create a sense of refinement that's rare at this price point. Ponte is in the heart of the Centro Storico, mere minutes from the likes of Piazza Navona, the Vatican and the Pantheon, yet it retains an upscale local feel. You might see high-heeled women shopping for designer handbags (and making light work of those cobbles), and convivial groups lunching outside smart trattorias. • Discover our full guide to Italy £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for aesthetes As this list demonstrates, it's not difficult to find aesthetically pleasing apartments in Rome. But if you crave exquisite architectural details, look no further than this one-bedroom haven, which has high ceilings with coffers, gilt chandeliers and hand-painted frescoes. This patrician building hails from the 16th century, and has an internal courtyard where vines trail from stone balustrade staircases: it's easy to picture horse-drawn chariots rattling through the arched gateway. All of the major sights of Rome's historic centre are walkable, while Campo dei Fiori's many restaurants are just across the square. ££ | SLEEPS 5 | Best for location A few steps from the Roman Forum and Colosseum, this bright apartment is ideal for first-time visitors. It's in a fully refurbished building and features a bath, laundry facilities and a spacious open-plan living area. Although much of the furniture is mid-century, a few well-chosen antiques and a balcony with table and chairs nod to Rome's ever-present past. There are two double bedrooms including one with a mezzanine floor mattress, so it's a good option for families too. The parks of Villa Celimontana and Colle Oppio provide respite from the busy avenues, while Monti's characterful backstreets beckon just outside your front door. £££ | SLEEPS 12 | Best for intergenerational groups A penthouse with an enormous roof terrace overlooking St Peter's Basilica, this address carries a hefty price tag — and the style, space and privacy to match. With five bedrooms spread over two floors and four bathrooms, it's possible to put all of the children on one level while the adults enjoy the calm upstairs, or to divide it into family groups. The owners have a penchant for jewellery-box colours and contemporary art, which creates a modish, joyful atmosphere, and there's also a gym, laptop-friendly desks and a long table for group meals. Known for its upscale restaurants and wide avenues (many created during Mussolini's reign in order to accommodate military processions), Prati is where Rome's successful older crowd live and dine. £ | SLEEPS 3 | Best for sophisticated couples In an 18th-century mansion with views of the Villa Borghese Gardens, this split-level loft has been furnished in a classical, cosmopolitan style. Polished floorboards, antiques and a working fireplace create a refined air, complemented by a small terrace in the eaves. It's on the edge of Piazza del Popolo, a grand square known for its twin baroque churches. The Spanish Steps lead up to the Hassler Bar, the spot for excellent dry martinis, while the Borghese Gardens contain neoclassical temples and fountains, as well as the illustrious Galleria Borghese. £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for solo travellers With its sunny balcony and quirky pieces such as a record-shaped coffee table, this studio feels like the home of a trendy thirtysomething. It's a fair guess since it's in Pigneto, the coolest place to live for those in the know — though still considered the wrong side of the tracks by others. This once-gritty district was made famous in the Sixties by the filmmaker and philosopher Pier Paolo Pasolini, and its independent bars and cafés still attract beautiful people sporting statement sunglasses and mullet-inspired haircuts. Note, it's about three miles from the Centro Storico, so is more suited to returning visitors who've already had their fill of the main sights. ££ | SLEEPS 4 | Best for living like a local Aside from crooked beams and the odd antique rug, there's little furniture in this one-bedroom penthouse — but its pièce de résistance is a suntrap terrace just under the dome of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle, a few steps from Campo de Fiori's food markets. This is where you'll take morning cappuccino and afternoon espresso, the Roman way. The apartment sleeps four but with its well-appointed kitchen, workspace and bath, it's the perfect space for a couple to make-believe that they live in the Eternal City. £££ | SLEEPS 6 | Best for groups of friends This two-bedroom apartment is sufficiently pared back to suit everyone in the group's taste, yet rich in contemporary Italian style with wooden floors and modern black furnishings that pop against the white walls. It is located in Trastevere, the riverside district that embodies Rome's movida — its party scene. The botanical gardens and Basilica Di Santa Maria are a walk away, as is the Gianicolo viewpoint, from which it's possible to see all seven of the hills of Rome. The area's real appeal lies in its cobbled backstreets and bohemian institutions such as Bar San Calisto, where poets and politicians have mingled until the early hours since 1969. £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for socialites Featuring an enormous roof terrace with panoramic views, wall art and stained glass doors, this apartment oozes erudite charm. It's such a snip because it doesn't technically have bedrooms; rather, a dining room and two living rooms with sofa beds. This is a space for night owls to invite friends back to for cacio e pepe after a day of vintage shopping and a night of bar hopping. Residential Monti is the equivalent of London's Stoke Newington. Come aperitivo hour, the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti is a meeting point for well-dressed creatives sipping spritz, and it buzzes long into the evening with wine bars and pizza restaurants spilling out onto the streets. • Best luxury hotels in Rome• Best hotels in Rome
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Abramovich billions may never reach Ukraine – and ‘Government knew it' from day one
The row centres on the interpretation of a 'deed of undertaking' between the Government and Abramovich in which he agreed for the money to be committed to charity 'for the purposes of helping victims of the war in Ukraine'. When putting Chelsea up for sale, Abramovich publicly stated that he wanted the proceeds to be used 'for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine' – including those from his native Russia, something successive governments have refused to countenance. An official involved in the negotiations in 2022, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Telegraph Sport: 'Day one, we were concerned. We went eyes open with the fact that this was a possibility. But there genuinely wasn't an alternative.' The official said the danger of Abramovich blocking the release of the Ukraine fund had taken a back seat to fears he 'would let Chelsea go to the wall' if a deal was not struck to sell the club before the end of that season, or that he would try to 'legally get the money back himself' if sanctions against him were lifted. 'The decision was to put it in a place where we knew he couldn't get at it, and then there was a principle that this charity would be formed and that it would spend the money wisely,' the official added. 'That it's dragged on to this point is just as much a testament to the fact that the Government hasn't invested financial pressure, resources or political capital in dealing with what was, from day one, very clearly going to be a problem.' Three-year delay 'incomprehensible' Indeed, Reeves and Lammy have taken until this week to threaten legal action, something Telegraph Sport has been told the previous Conservative government had ruled out. That is despite a report by a House of Lords committee in January last year finding it 'incomprehensible' the issue had not been resolved and urging ministers 'to use all available legal levers to solve this impasse rapidly, so that Ukraine can receive much-needed, promised, and long overdue relief'. The report was published by the European Affairs Committee, chaired by cross-bench peer Lord Ricketts, a former permanent secretary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British ambassador to France and national security adviser. He told Telegraph Sport it had taken too long for the Government to act upon the report's recommendations and acknowledged an acrimonious legal battle could delay things much further when it comes to accessing a fund likely to have accrued more than a hundred million pounds in interest. 'It's getting ridiculous that this delay should be dragging on and on,' Ricketts said. 'I'm not a lawyer and I can't explain exactly what the Government are going to do, but I think it's now really urgent to get this sorted. And I think 'incomprehensible' is still a pretty good word to describe why, three years later, we're still waiting for the money to go to the people who really need it in Ukraine.' Concerns over the delay had been raised even earlier, including by Mike Penrose, the former chief executive of Unicef UK, heading the independent foundation set up to administer the fund. He was joined two years ago by Oxfam, Save the Children, Kyiv-based charities and UK families hosting Ukrainian refugees in calling for then prime minister Rishi Sunak to urgently break the deadlock. That was after the European Union, like the Government, ruled the money could only be spent within Ukraine's borders, an edict the charities urged Sunak to ignore. Labour peer Lord Foulkes also wrote to then chancellor Jeremy Hunt in September 2023 over the 'unacceptable delay' in releasing the funds, adding in his letter: 'The only barrier, as far as I can tell, seems to be bureaucracy, and it strikes me as ridiculous that we should let a matter of paperwork confound these efforts, when our Ukrainian allies overcome incredible adversity on a daily basis.' Foulkes told Telegraph Sport: 'The trouble is we've been playing by the rules that the Russians never acknowledge, never play by, and we have been trying to get some agreement on it. 'That was always likely to fail – and certainly take a long time. I'm glad that, at last, they're now taking action and I think it's the right thing to do, and they should press ahead with it as quickly and as forcibly as possible.' Seizing of Russian assets 'politically explosive' Telegraph Sport has been told the previous government ruled out legal action after concluding there were too many downsides, including the risk investors could shun the UK. Various sources with knowledge of negotiations with lawyers for Abramovich have branded the ongoing row as a 'nightmare issue', describing the seizing of Russian assets as 'politically explosive'. Explaining the difference between freezing and seizing assets, a source said: 'Seizing assets is a whole new ball game. There's a sizeable chunk that is frozen in Britain that are Russian-state assets. There are huge numbers of countries and lots and lots of lawyers who would explain to you that if you even try taking it and just seizing it and say that money is now ours, you are facing intense pressure.' The source said that could include 'lobbying' from other countries which invest in the UK who might say: 'OK then, we're pulling out billions of billions from your economy now.' Bart De Wever, the Belgian prime minister, also warned in March that confiscating almost €200 billion (£168 billion) of frozen Russian assets would be 'an act of war' and would carry 'systemic risks to the entire financial world system'. Telegraph Sport has also been told the last government was split on whether to compromise on Abramovich's demands, with Andrew Mitchell said by one source to have discussed ways ministers could 'cut a deal' with the oligarch when he was at the Foreign Office. Explaining the power Abramovich currently held over the frozen Chelsea sale fund, a source said: 'He can't access the money. He can't spend the money, but he can stop the trust spending it and, at the moment, he's always hidden behind, 'No, the terms that I agreed to the sale are not quite the same as the terms that the British Government are now insisting on'.' Telegraph Sport has approached a representative for Abramovich for comment on the Government's legal threat against him. A book entitled Sanctioned is being released next week in which he is expected to be quoted about the sale of Chelsea and the sanctions imposed on him.
