MANCHESTER: Six years ago Kyle Walker caused much surprise when he was named the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Despite the right-back impressing in a Spurs side that finished fourth, Sergio Aguero — inspirational with 23 goals as Manchester City won the title that season — was favorite.
“I don’t know how I beat Aguero to that award because he had a fantastic year,” Walker told Arab News.
Yet it remains a rare honor in his career, whereas Aguero has enjoyed title and cup triumphs while carving his name in City folklore as their record scorer.
Having made a £50 million ($68 million) summer switch to join the Argentine striker at the Etihad, Walker, 27, is now eager to share in similar success and history.
After 22 games, leaders City visit Liverpool today still on course to match Arsenal’s 2004 feat of going the entire Premier League season unbeaten.
Walker, who grew up on a Sheffield council estate, dares to dream and insisted it is not impossible to be become ‘Invincibles’.
“We’ve seen Celtic went on last year and did it, so listen, it’s possible, but in the Premier League it is going to be difficult,” he said.
“No disrespect to the Scottish Premier League, but the Premier League is tough and we have got some tough games coming up. We need to just keep approaching every game as we have done in the last four-five months and hopefully that will see us over the line.
“Of course I’d like to be part of history. I’ve got three little boys myself and if they can look at me and say daddy was a part of that then that would be fantastic. It would be a pat on the back, not just to myself, but to my mum, dad, missus and everyone who has supported me to get where I am now.
“I’ve had a difficult upbringing, but it’s all a learning curve and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that childhood and that learning.
“It would be fantastic if we could do it, be remembered like Arsenal, but it’s going to be difficult. We have played so many games this season and that maybe showed a little bit in the league game at Crystal Palace. We went there and got the draw, but it was so close to a loss.
“We are in all competitions we can win, so that’s a positive. But we just need to attack and keep treating every game as we have done. I think that should be enough because of the quality we have got in the dressing room and especially the striking force. I believe it’s a force to be reckoned with.”
With the chance of an unprecedented quadruple of trophies, City have become a fearsome force as a team and Walker is flourishing under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
“I think you have to strive in your personal terms to be the very best and play at the highest level possible,” he added. “That season, 2011-12, was a great year for me, but after that people found out I was new to the Premier League. You get that, when the first season you do well and the second and third was more difficult.
“But I think it improved me as a player mentally, that I had to adapt to different situations that I wasn’t comfortable in or that happened in the first season.
“The big thing about joining City was I wanted to have a new challenge and test myself further. No disrespect to Tottenham, but I needed something different.
“This club was the right decision for me. The manager, and how he wants his team to play and how he could develop me as a player was key, having worked with two of my favorite right backs since I was growing up in Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm.
“I’m not at their level yet, I’m still improving. I’m 27, probably at my peak now and for the next three years. But I am keen to learn and the gaffer is always showing me ways I can improve and I am taking it on board every day. Every day is a school day really.”