Only an idiot can tell you Kyle’s a dud
Kev stands up for City pal after ‘car crash’ claim from Keane
Kevin De Bruyne has defended Kyle Walker after his Manchester City team- mate was labelled an “idiot” by Roy Keane.
The pair are set to go head to head today in Leuven when Belgium host England in the Nations League.
Walker goes into the game on the back of a poor display in City’s 1-1 home draw with Liverpool last weekend.
Manchester United and Ireland legend Keane branded the 30-year- old an ‘ idiot’ and a ‘car crash’ of player after he gave away a costly penalty for a foul on Sadio Mane.
Walker’s England boss Gareth Southgate hit out at the personal criticism by Keane and Belgium star De Bruyne has also stuck up for his City pal.
He said: “I think from the moment that Kyle came to the team, he’s been one of the most consistent performers for us.
“He’s never injured, he plays all the time. He’s reliable and he’s a really good defender. I think he does a really good job.
“Obviously when you compare every position it’s different. You can’t compare the work that Kyle does to, for instance, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) at Liverpool.
“Trent is the more offensive player and Kyle has to play a different role for us, but he does it really well and there’s a reason why he’s playing all these years at this level for all these teams. It means he’s been really good.
“OK, what Roy Keane says... he is a different man and everybody knows that.
“It’s his opinion and Kyle will take it on the chin. He’s going to be fine with it.”
De Bruyne is looking to get the better of Walker today and avenge England’s 2-1 win in the reverse fixture at Wembley last month. Victory for Belgium will also end the Three Lions’ chances of reaching the Nations League finals again.
De Bruyne, 29, revealed he played through the pain of injury at Wembley but warned he is fully fit this time.
He said: “It was my decision. I had a scan two days before but there was not a lot of info that we could see because it was too close after the training.
“That scan said that it could be ok, but the scan I took two days after the England game showed that I had multiple minor injuries.”
D e Bruyne’s Belgium manager Rober to Martinez is backing
Harry Kane to become England’s top scorer but hopes he doesn’t add to his tally today. Martinez clocks up his halfcentury of games in charge of Belgium against an England side including skipper Kane winning his 50th cap. The striker already has 32 England goals and former Motherwell star Martinez expects him to soar past Wayne Rooney’s record of 53. He said: “He is a player who can break all sorts of records for the national team. “The record of Rooney is ve ry impressive but Harry Kane is in a position to achieve that.”