It seems the Manchester City camp is as divided on the new Champions League format as we are as the media and public.

More teams, more challenges, more fixtures but something new at the same time. Manuel Akanji was quick to criticise the revamp but Kyle Walker relishes it, even though there was some reticence towards an increased number of games.

“It’s football these days – they’ll play extra games whenever they can,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.

But then came the shift.

“Do I see it as an excuse? Definitely not. I want to be playing in every game possible,” he said. “It’s the sport that I love – it’s the sport I choose. Pay me nothing and I’d continue to play.

“I feel young, I feel good and hopefully this club can go and achieve something special with all the fixtures and we can say we’ve knocked down another door.”

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