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Kyle Walker has spoken out on sticking up for former teammate Dele Alli during AC Milan's Serie A clash with Como earlier this year. The Manchester City loanee and England international admitted that his 'heart kicked in' when it came to the incident. During a fiery clash between AC Milan and Cesc Fabregas' Como side, Walker stepped in to defend old friend and former teammate Alli from a red card. It was meant to be the midfielder’s triumphant return to football, but it instead ended in a sending off for the former Tottenham and Everton playmaker. Dele, making his long-awaited comeback after more than two years out, came off the bench in the 81st minute of Milan’s 2-1 win. It was his first professional appearance since February 2023, when he was on loan at Turkish side Besiktas from Everton. But his return was short-lived. Deep into stoppage time, Dele was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek—only for the booking to be upgraded to a red after a VAR review. At the time, 34-year-old Walker was seen pleading with the referee - despite being on the opposite team - to stick with a yellow card. Walker, speaking on The Kyle Walker Podcast on BBC Sounds, admitted he instinctively jumped to his former Tottenham and England teammate’s defence. "I think my heart kicked in. Anyone else, I would have just let them get sent off, " said Walker. "But with Dele, I know how hard he's worked to get his chance at Como. It's a good club for him to try and revive his career. " Walker’s protests weren’t enough to overturn the decision, but his reaction underlined the personal connection the pair share after years playing together for club and country. "We wanted 10 men, but for the personal relationship that I have with Dele, for the years I've known Dele, for what he's been through – which he's publicly said and I think he's been very strong and open about that – to then get sent off for not really a cynical challenge, he was a little bit hard done by, " he added. Dele’s dismissal was yet another hurdle in what’s been a difficult few years. In 2023, the 28-year-old revealed the trauma he faced in his early life, including being sexually abused at the age of six. He also spoke openly about his time in rehab to deal with a sleeping pill addiction and mental health struggles - making his return to football a moment many hoped would mark a fresh start. Following the match, Dele addressed the red card on social media, writing: "Two years! Not necessarily how I planned it, but we keep moving. " He also shared a screenshot of messages with Loftus-Cheek, claiming he had simply 'tried to clip' his heel. Walker reflected on the incident and the wider issue of how players communicate in today’s digital age. "Would I have done it? Maybe not, but Dele thought that was the right thing – probably to say sorry to the fans and show that there was no malicious thought in it. That’s the world that we live in now. " © 2025 talk SPORT Limited
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