AC Milan defender Kyle Walker found himself in an unusual position last month, working to defend the former teammate Dele Alla when he made his long -awaited return to professional football for Como.
The former teammates of Tottenham and England were briefly gathered on the ground, with Dele as a substitute in the 81st minute. He marked his first competitive appearance in more than two years, after playing for the last time in February 2023 when he was ready in Besiktas d’Everton.
However, his return was suddenly shortened when he received a red card during the time to stop for a tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek in Milan.
Initially shown a yellow, the reservation was upgraded to red following a Var review. But Walker, 34, was quick to intervene, appealing to the referee on behalf of Dele.
“I think my heart started. Anyone else, I would have just let them be sent,” said Walker. @But with Dele, I know how hard he worked to have a chance in Como. It’s a good club for him to try to rekindle his career.
“We wanted 10 men, but for the personal relationship I have with Dele, during the years I know Dele, for what he experienced – what he said publicly and I think he was very strong and open on this subject – to then be sent for a cynical challenge, he was a little hard by.”
Dele Alli was sent after receiving a red box barely nine minutes after its first professional appearance in two years.
Even Kyle Walker begged the referee to keep the initial yellow and not change it in a red 💔 pic.twitter.com/b6hwgyks
– ESPN FC (@espnfc) March 15, 2025
Dele has openly shared its difficulties in recent years, including previous sexual abuses, dependence on sleeping pills and mental health challenges.
During the same interview, Walker discussed his international trip when he approaches a 100 historic ceilings for England, after recently presented the World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania.
“The 100 is getting closer, which is a massive goal,” added Walker. “I look back when I started with [Fabio] Capello. To think that years ago, I said in my head that I wanted to reach 25 caps. Then you exceed 25 caps and you are looking for the 50. ”
If he reaches the bar of the century, Walker would join a rare club. To date, Ashley Cole remains the only black male footballer to have reached 100 ceilings for the senior team in England, with 107 appearances.
