Kyle Walker makes AC Milan debut after starting in huge derby vs Inter as star joined by wife Annie Kilner in Italy
KYLE WALKER got the nod to make his AC Milan debut by starting in the huge derby against Inter.
Walker’s wife Annie Kilner and their kids flew out to Italy ahead of the crunch clash.
The English right-back, 34, completed his loan switch to the Serie A giants from Manchester City last week.
Annie, 31, Roman, 12, Riaan, nine, Reign, seven, and baby Rezon then headed to the fashion capital on a private jet on Friday afternoon after a turbulent week.
But SunSport understands they were not in attendance to watch their husband and dad make his debut.
Walker was not in the squad to face Parma last weekend or eligible for the Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
However, Rossoneri boss Sergio Conceicao threw him in at the deep end in one of the biggest matches in world football.
The City captain – deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola – was brought straight into the starting XI for the Sunday showdown.
Walker was joined by fellow England stars Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham – plus ex-Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic – in the Milan team.
New No32 Walker was hoping to keep his new side’s faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive – and dent Inter’s title ambitions.
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Milan went into the ‘home’ San Siro clash down in eighth – one place above Roma but 16 points behind their city enemies and ground-share rivals.
Inter, meanwhile, knew victory would see them leapfrog Napoli to the top of the Serie A table.
The game kicked off in Milan just 30 minutes after City got underway in the mammoth clash at Arsenal.
And while his parent club were thrashed at the Emirates, it looked as though Walker was going to enjoy the perfect start in Italy.
Tijjani Reijnders gave Milan the lead just before half-time but Walker and Co conceded a dramatic equaliser when Stefan de Vrij found the net in the 93rd minute.
Walker’s future appears to be away from the Etihad, despite his contract running until 2026.
He had an “uncomfortable” conversation with Guardiola where he told the manager he wanted to leave and AC Milan do have the option to make the loan deal permanent at the end of the season.
The 93-cap Three Lions ace said: “When I spoke with Pep, it wasn’t a comfortable conversation because of the respect we have for each other.
‘FIRE IN MY BELLY’
“What he’s won at City, I have won it, too. I like to think he knows what I bring to a dressing room.
“City was my family — from the cooks to cleaners, kitmen and physios. I like to think I was liked and helped everyone blend in.
“But things weren’t going well there and I wasn’t playing enough.
“I would have honoured the contract if they hadn’t let me leave as that’s me as a person.
“But it just comes down to challenges where you think, ‘OK, I need to try something different.’
“I spoke to many ex-players who never moved abroad and they told me they wished they had.
“I want to show I can do it in the Italian league, too.
“I still have fire in my belly — I don’t just want to have won things in just one country.”