Kyle Walker is preparing to kick off Burnley's Championship season against West Ham next Sunday following the club's Premier League relegation last season. The 36-year-old full-back is returning to English football's second tier 15 years after his last appearance in the division.
Walker was far from becoming one of his generation's most decorated players when he last played in the Championship, prior to winning 17 trophies and earning 96 England caps. His previous spell in the league was a four-month loan at QPR under manager Neil Warnock during the 2010-11 campaign, earning his first England call-up just one month after that loan ended.
Reflecting on his time at QPR, Walker credited senior team-mates Fitz Hall, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill and Paddy Kenny with creating a supportive dressing room. "It was a massive part of my career," Walker said. "Playing in the Championship grounds you, but it also teaches you. It can be very humbling as well. Having experienced players like Fitz Hall, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill and Paddy Kenny around me, it was a good dressing room to be in. I fell back in love with football a bit there and it was something I needed to do to make that step up to the Premier League."
Return to the Championship and advice from Kompany
Burnley are entering their third Championship season in five years following their third successive Premier League relegation. Walker admitted the drop was difficult to handle after years of competing for titles, but insisted he is determined to lead the team back up immediately. "It left a sour taste in my mouth," Walker said. "I want to put it right, not just for myself but for the fans who had to deal with it and for the players who have stuck around. I feel we have an obligation to put it right and with the quality we have in the dressing room, we should be getting promoted and going back to the Premier League."
The Clarets have reached 100 points in each of their last two Championship campaigns, and Walker sought guidance from former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany, who previously managed Burnley to promotion. "I've spoken to Vincent Kompany and got advice from him," Walker said. "I asked how he found it after achieving what he achieved. He said it's difficult and something that is going to be a task for myself, but it is also very enjoyable because you become a big fish again, and you get a little bit more of the ball. It's a bit more of the game I was used to playing at Manchester City. Hopefully we can replicate that from when Vinny went up because they broke 100 points and tore the Championship apart."
Walker scored the winning penalty in Burnley's Carabao Cup victory over Notts County on Saturday and remains confident in his physical condition. As an experienced leader at Turf Moor, he expects opposing young left wingers to target him during matches. "I think they try to create, what are they called... memes now," Walker said. "They'll try and create memes out of me, but I can assure you I am not becoming anyone's meme."
Management changes at Turf Moor
Burnley have undergone further squad and coaching transformations over the summer, with Belgian manager Nicky Hayen replacing Scott Parker. First-team players Jaidon Anthony, Maxime Esteve, Florentino and Lesley Ugochukwu have all departed, while off-field figures include a $100m NFL star who embraces his role as Clarets co-owner and designed their new shirt.
Despite the player turnover, Walker expressed strong confidence in Hayen's leadership and direct tactical instruction. "He's been great," Walker said. "The information he has given is key and he is very direct. Too much information sometimes kills it, but he has been spot on with his information. He's got his message across really clearly and I'm looking forward to working with him, because I think he's going to be a candidate for manager of the season."
Mentality and promotion goals
With Burnley experiencing promotion or relegation in five consecutive seasons, Walker stressed that maintaining focus through tough matches will be essential for success. "Success in anything is about mentality," Walker said. "Talent gets you so far, but mentality and wanting to do well - not just in big games when it's on TV, or when it's sunny and the fans are there in their thirty thousands cheering your name - it's when it's raining and not on TV, it's 7.45pm on a Tuesday night and the wind's swirling around. That's about rolling your sleeves up, getting dirty, and making sure that we can get the three points."
Looking back at his career journey since his breakout stint at QPR, Walker remains focused on adding another trophy to his record. "Would I have ever thought that I would experience the things I have in football back when I was at QPR? Hell no. What I've achieved is something I could only have dreamed of," Walker said. "So I definitely am at peace and I've achieved a lot, but I'm so hungry for more. Getting Burnley promoted is another trophy I want to add to my collection - I want to put it on my CV."
