Kyle Walker determined to help Burnley back up
Kyle Walker insists no winger will have an easy game against him in the Championship this season, with the Burnley right-back saying he "won't be anyone's meme."
Walker joined the Clarets last summer after eight trophy-laden years with Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles, six domestic cups and the Champions League.
However, his first season at Turf Moor ended in relegation, with Burnley finishing a whopping 19 points adrift of safety in 19th.
The Clarets have now alternated between relegation from the Premier League and promotion from the Championship in each of the last five seasons.
Walker made 36 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season, with only Jaidon Anthony – who has since returned to the top flight by joining Brentford – featuring more often for the Clarets.
Along with fellow relegated sides West Ham and Wolves, Walker knows Burnley will be a big fish in a small pond this season, but he is determined to prove he can still contribute.
"I think [fans] try to create, what are they called now, memes?" the 36 year-old said. "They'll try and create memes out of me, and I can assure you that I am not becoming anyone's meme.
"So when you come against me, I'll give it 100%. If you beat me on the day, you know, you shake hands at the end of the game, and you say it's a good game. I won't be anyone's meme."
Walker played the full game as Burnley drew 1-1 with Notts County in its first-round Carabao Cup tie on Sunday, scoring the winning penalty as his team progressed as 4-3 after a shoot-out.
Nicky Hayen's side face West Ham in a huge early test on matchday one of the Championship season, before back-to-back away games against West Brom and Norwich City.
It has been 15 years since Walker last appeared in the Championship, having spent the first half of the 2010-2011 season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, from Tottenham.
But he still feels a drive to continue playing, saying: "If I have to get motivated to play football, I should stay in bed in the morning. Motivation has never been a factor for me."
