Walker admits he tried to stop Dele Red Card on Como debut against AC Milan

AC Milan defender Kyle Walker found himself in an unusual position of last month, stepped to defend former teammate Dele Allija when he was a long -awaited return to professional football for Como.

Former teammates Tottenham and England briefly gathered in the field, and Dele became a replacement in the 81th minute. This was marked by his first competitive appearance in more than two years, after he last played in February 2023 while on loan in Besiktas from Everton.

However, his return was abruptly shortened when he received a red card during stopping for accessories of Milan Ruben Loftus-reflection.

Initially, the yellow is shown, the reservation was upgraded to the red after the varnish review. But Walker, 34, stepped quickly, appealing to the judge on behalf of Dele.

“I think my heart has started. Anyone else, I would just let them send them,” Walker admitted. @But with Dele, I know how hard he worked to get the opportunity at Como. It is a good club for him to try to revive his career.

“We wanted 10 men, but for the personal relationship I had with Dele, for the years I knew Delea, because of what he had gone through – what he said publicly and I think he was very strong and open about it – to send him then because of actually cynical challenge, he was a little difficult.”

Dele Alli was sent after receiving a red card for nine minutes in his first professional appearance in two years.

Even Kyle Walker prayed for refes to maintain the initial yellow and not changed it to the red 💔 pic.twitter.com/b6hwgyehks

– ESPN FC (@espnfc) March 15, 2025

Dele has openly shared his struggles in recent years, including past sexual abuse, dependence on sleeping tablets and mental health challenges.

During the same interview, Walker talked about his international journey as he collapses closer to the historic 100 caps for England, after he recently played in the World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania.

“100 is approaching, which is a huge goal,” Walker added. “I look back when I first started with (Fabio) Capello. Let me think they were all years ago, I said in my head that I wanted to reach 25 caps. Then surpass 25 caps and look for 50.”

If it reached a century, Walker would join a rare club. To date, Ashley Cole remains the only black males footballer who has reached 100 caps for the senior team of England, with 107 appearances.