Kyle Walker Summer Escape: Chinese Takeaway, Family Time & an Uncertain Future

From Milan Misfire to Macclesfield Comforts: Kyle Walker Returns to Familiar Surroundings

Sometimes, when life feels off track, we all return to what we know. For Kyle Walker, that meant heading home to northern England after a bruising second half of the 2024–25 season—and indulging in a Chinese feast that cost more than most people’s monthly groceries. Fresh off a disappointing loan spell at AC Milan and a forgettable performance for England in their 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal, the veteran full-back has taken refuge in familiarity, spending quality time with his family and rediscovering some creature comforts in Cheshire.

And what says comfort like a massive order from your favourite local takeaway?

The 34-year-old, who remains under contract at Manchester City but is now very much on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s plans, reportedly dropped a hefty £341.60 on a Chinese takeaway order. Locals say the feast included a whole aromatic duck costing £105, plus a sprawling menu of salt and chilli prawns, chicken wings, crispy beef, and spare ribs. For some, this might seem extravagant. For Walker, it’s a moment of normality amid a turbulent year—both on and off the pitch.

Out of Sight at City, Out of Favour in Milan

Kyle Walker AC Milan 2024-25

Walker’s exclusion from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad barely raised an eyebrow—such is the clear message coming from the Etihad: his time at the top may be winding down. The England international spent the second half of the season in Serie A with AC Milan, a move that was meant to inject new life into his career but ended up serving as a harsh reality check instead.

Despite arriving with fanfare, Walker never truly found his footing at San Siro. He was in and out of the lineup, struggled to adapt tactically, and never looked like the dynamic, marauding right-back who played such a key role in City’s domestic dominance. Milan ultimately chose not to activate the permanent option in his loan deal—a clear sign that both player and club saw the arrangement as a short-term fix that didn’t quite fit.

A Flat Note with the Three Lions

What Next for Kyle Walker?

His return to England duty didn’t fare much better. Walker played the full 90 minutes in England’s recent friendly against Senegal, but the match ended in a lacklustre 3-1 defeat. It was a performance that drew criticism from pundits and fans alike, not least for England’s defensive disorganisation, which many felt the experienced right-back should have helped prevent.

At 34, Walker is part of a generation of England players whose spots are increasingly under threat. With a new wave of young full-backs emerging, every cap now feels like it must be earned all over again. He’ll be desperate to hold onto his place ahead of Euro 2028 qualifiers, but after a tough club season and inconsistent international showings, that path looks harder than ever.

Off the Pitch: Struggles Beyond Football

Walker’s challenges haven’t been limited to football. Off the pitch, his personal life has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. His ongoing attempt to save his marriage to Annie Kilner, following revelations that he fathered two children with former Love Island contestant Lauryn Goodman, has kept him under a relentless tabloid spotlight.

It’s a saga that has played out as publicly as any on-field drama. Paparazzi, gossip columns, and social media have all had their say, and the resulting scrutiny has no doubt added pressure to a player already grappling with professional uncertainty. For now, he’s keeping a low profile—retreating to the familiar surroundings of Macclesfield, where he’s attempting to reset and regroup.

Chinese Takeaway as a Symbol of Solace

If there’s one thing that unites fans and footballers alike, it’s the small pleasures—food chief among them. Walker’s mammoth order from a local Chinese takeaway, which quickly became a trending topic on social media, might seem like trivial gossip. But in truth, it’s a revealing slice of life. Here’s a man who has just come off a bruising campaign abroad, returned to an uncertain role at his parent club, and is navigating complex family issues—and his remedy, at least for one evening, was comfort food shared with loved ones.

One takeaway staff member in Macclesfield revealed the full extent of the order and couldn’t help but chuckle: “We knew it was him when the duck came in—only a footballer would spend that much on one dish!” The massive haul was apparently shared among family members at home, a quiet gathering meant to ease back into something resembling peace.

What Next for Kyle Walker?

That’s the million-pound question. With his City career seemingly at an end and Milan closing the door, the market for Walker could be limited. At his peak, his pace, power, and game intelligence made him one of Europe’s finest right-backs. But age, injuries, and a tough run of form have left clubs hesitant.

There’s been some tentative interest from MLS clubs, and a return to the Premier League—possibly with a mid-table side—could be on the cards. Whether he accepts a reduced role in a smaller project or holds out for another top-level opportunity remains to be seen.

Then there’s the England angle. Gareth Southgate has remained loyal to Walker through several controversies and form dips, but the FA is already thinking long-term. The upcoming qualifiers may be make-or-break for the veteran’s international career.

Social Media, Sarcasm, and Speculation

It didn’t take long for the online world to poke fun at Walker’s mega-order. “He’s got two families to feed,” one tweet read—a not-so-subtle nod to the personal drama that has followed him for months. Yet beneath the sarcasm is a deeper truth: Walker is in transition. Professionally, personally, emotionally.

In many ways, his Chinese takeaway spree has come to symbolise that moment of pause. The eye of the storm. A player who, for now, is stuck between past glory and an uncertain future, trying to find footing in both his personal life and his career.

Closing Thoughts: The Human Behind the Headlines

Kyle Walker has made headlines for all kinds of reasons—Champions League heroics, World Cup heartbreaks, off-field missteps, and now… takeaways. But as easy as it is to reduce his story to punchlines or clickbait, the truth is more nuanced.

Here is a player who has given over a decade to elite football, who is navigating a complex chapter in both career and life, and who—like all of us—finds some relief in the familiar. A takeaway from Macclesfield may not fix everything, but for Kyle Walker, it was a reminder that even amid public scrutiny, there’s still comfort to be found in home, food, and family.

Now the question becomes: will this be a last supper of sorts before one final move, or the quiet start of something new and redemptive? Either way, his summer is one worth watching.