“Modern football coverage has never been so focused on individuals, at a time when the game itself has never been so systemic. The reaction to Manchester City’s 4-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday was a good example — this was, from City’s perspective, surely a collective collapse rather than one based on individual failings. But post-match coverage focused largely on Kyle Walker and the space Tottenham found in behind him. So here, by way of providing some balance, is a defence of Walker, who was put in a very difficult position because of City manager Pep Guardiola’s approach. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
NY Times/The Athletic: How Tottenham stunned Manchester City
NY Times/The Athletic: Sixteen things that help explain Pep Guardiola losing five games in a row for the first time
