CRITICS KEEP MY FIRE BURNING

TOMORROW in the Middle Eastern night City could be crowned champions of the world, capping the most successful year an English team has ever completed.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

For Pep Guardiola, the Club World Cup is a case of 'closing the circle, but for Kyle Walker, this has to be a beginning rather than an end.

Victory against Fluminese in Jeddah would wrap up a fifth trophy for the Blues in 2023 but Walker is adamant a year of unprecedented success doesn't mean they slot in at the top of the charts of the best club sides ever to emerge from these shores.

For the 33-year-old, it is about building a dynasty and although the silverware is flowing, Walker insists the trophy room needs more metal before such grand claims can be made.

Speaking in the bowels of the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Tuesday, after a comfortable 3-0 win against Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final, Walker is in a combative mood.

He's seen criticism of himself recently and, fittingly in a country that has repositioned itself as the boxing capital of the world, he comes out swinging.

But first, the man likely to lift the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia tomorrow night is keen to play devil's advocate to the idea that adding a world crown to City's domestic and European achievements makes them England’s greatest. Fresh from the Treble, Pep Guardiola’s side have added the UEFA Super Cup already this season before jetting out to Jeddah this week.

They are also on a run of five domestic titles in six seasons and are seeking to become the first team to win four consecutive Premier Leagues, although they aren’t having it their own way this season. But it isn’t yet a run of success to rival Liverpool in the 1980s or United under Sir Alex Ferguson and that is the point for Walker. At 33, he won’t match Ryan Giggs’ record of 13 titles, but there are players in this team that could.