Ex-Spurs ace Walker 'justified' world-record fee with trophy haul despite Keane criticism

The right-back was key in Spurs' excellent form under Mauricio Pochettino but still faced criticism and his transfer came under scrutiny.

Former Tottenham and Barcelona forward Gary Lineker joked at the time on Twitter: "Kyle Walker becomes the world's most expensive defender at £50m plus. Imagine how much he would cost if he could cross the ball."

Lineker hasn't been the only person to raise their eyebrows at the fee, which was huge at the time but wouldn't cause many shockwaves four years on.

He continues to receive harsh criticism, especially from Roy Keane.

After Walker conceded a penalty against Liverpool last season, the former Manchester United star was asked how Sadio Mane earned it.

Keane told Sky Sports: "Because he's up against an idiot.

"Kyle Walker, people are telling me he's playing well, I don't think so.

"This guy is 30 years of age, an international player, he's a car crash.

"He keeps on making these type of mistakes. He was rightfully punished for it."

Keane doubled down on those comments ahead of Man City's 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

"I've been critical of him in the past," he told Sky Sports.

"He makes too many mistakes and he relies on his pace to get him out of trouble but he's had a very good career.

"I can be quite critical with defenders, especially when it's a head job.

"That's what irritates me, the concentration - but big player for Man City and England so the kid's doing something right."

Walker, though, speaking to Darren Bent's Bootroom, believes he's fully justified the fee City paid for him.

"With that price tag four or five years ago, it's probably nothing now," said the former Spurs right-back.

"But back then, it was a big transfer fee going from Tottenham to Manchester City. Two previous years prior to that, Tottenham finished above Manchester City."

He added: "When a team like Manchester City coming for you and the manager [Pep] speaks to you personally and says what he wants to achieve and what he wants to do with this team, and the players he wanted to bring in, it was only going in one direction.

"I needed something different, I had been at Spurs for nine years and I wanted change. I wanted to test myself at a different club and hopefully I've justified that. I've picked up a few trophies on the way."

Walker has been pivotal to City's success under Guardiola and gone on to win ten major trophies, including three Premier League titles, FA Cup, and four League Cups.

He narrowly missed out on European glory last season when City lost the Champions League final to Chelsea.