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Kyle Walker Named the Two Worst Dressing Rooms in British Football

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Kyle Walker previously shared a brutal assessment of two English football clubs’ dressing rooms, explaining why they rank among the worst he’s experienced during his playing career. The former Manchester City skipper spent all of his professional years in England until a brief switch to AC Milan before his move to Burnley.

The dressing rooms at the San Siro are considered some of the finest in football after major renovations in 2005 to suit both Milan-based clubs. Players naturally want a comfortable atmosphere ahead of kick-off, and modern elite clubs generally provide luxurious facilities to ensure that.

Manchester City’s state-of-the-art setup was showcased in their All or Nothing documentary series, proving Walker has been used to the best facilities for years. The England international has changed in countless stadiums around the nation, but two venues in particular stood out negatively.

Walker Spoke About ‘Cramped’ Dressing Room Experience

Kyle Walker

Walker began his senior career at Sheffield United and featured regularly for the Blades during the 2009-10 EFL Championship season. Sheffield United ended that campaign in eighth place and suffered 15 losses overall, including a defeat away at Scunthorpe United in October 2009.

That trip to Glanford Park ended in a 3-1 loss, but the result wasn’t the only thing Walker remembered unfavourably. Speaking to BBC Sounds about the worst dressing rooms he’d seen, he explained:

“Scunthorpe was terrible. You couldn’t swing a cat round in there. Tight as anything.”

The 9,088-seat ground, opened in 1987, is relatively small in size. Both teams’ changing rooms are situated within the SPB Stand. The home dressing room resembles something closer to a school PE facility than a top-level football setup, though it certainly carries historical significance.

Scunthorpe famously celebrated promotion to EFL League One in 2014 by squeezing players into the tiny room for a team photo. Anyone suffering from claustrophobia would probably be eager to get onto the pitch as quickly as possible on matchday.

Walker Criticised Another Premier League Dressing Room

Kyle Walker | Burnley

The Scunthorpe setup wasn’t the only dressing room Walker disliked during his years playing in England. Having represented City, he experienced some of the best football facilities available, but one London club failed to impress him:

“Crystal Palace’s weren’t great before they put the hut on. It was like single-file walking out to the pitch, you couldn’t stand next to your opposition players. It was ‘alright you walk, I’ll walk’ and then all of a sudden you branched off into two when you got out of there.”

Selhurst Park is famous for its traditional atmosphere and remains one of the loudest grounds in the Premier League. Visiting Palace‘s home stadium can already feel intimidating, and according to Walker, that atmosphere starts long before kick-off in front of 25,486 supporters.

Walker also admitted he understands why clubs may not prioritise comfort for away teams:

“I feel that why should it be good? Why should the away changing room be good? You need certain standards but why make the home dressing room the same?”

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All Completed Arsenal Transfers in 2026/27

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The reigning Premier League champions, Arsenal, are facing the task of defending their league crown for the first time since 2004 and will want to hit the ground running.

Having finally edged out rivals Manchester City in a back-and-forth title race, the focus will be on repeating the success. Losing out in the Champions League final on penalties will also be a significant motivator.

Expect Mikel Arteta to tweak his squad ever so slightly; it was well documented that he already possessed one of the best squads in Europe last season, meaning we can’t expect too many major changes.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be changes, as title winners often have to add something new to their makeup to ensure they have a new dynamic — but changing or spending too much, like Liverpool in 2025, could be detrimental to their chances of going back-to-back.

Ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, GIVEMESPORT brings you every new signing and departure from the Emirates Stadium.

New Arsenal Signings 2026/27

Piero Hincapie in action for Arsenal against Wolves in the Premier League

Player

Nationality

Previous Club

Fee

Piero Hincapie

Ecuador

Bayer Leverkusen

£34.5million

Illan Meslier

France

Leeds United

Free

Arsenal’s squad is already among the best in England, which is why Arteta hasn’t overseen a lot of activity in terms of incomings in July. The main addition is confirming that key defender Piero Hincapie has made his loan move permanent from Bayer Leverkusen for around £34.5m.

The Ecuador international made 39 appearances in his debut campaign, starting seven Champions League games, including the final, and was often rotated with Riccardo Calafiori. Also arriving is Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer to round out their goalkeeper trio of David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

A new winger is on the cards, with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams reportedly a key target. Other figures include Newcastle United‘s Bruno Guimaraes, who has been a long-term target and who could bolster their already-impressive engine room.

There’s also the Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis, who is reportedly close to signing for the club, having netted 17 goals and provided 23 assists as he led his side to the Belgium league title last season.

Arsenal Departures 2026/27

Leandro Trossard

Player

Nationality

New Club

Fee

Leandro Trossard

Belgium

Besiktas

£15.3million

Jakub Kiwior

Poland

Porto

£14.7million

Karl Hein

Estonia

Werder Bremen

£2.5million

Jadon Josh Nichols

England

Released

N/A

Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko

Colombia

Released

N/A

Samuel Onyekachukwu

England

Released

N/A

Will Lannin-Sweet

England

Released

N/A

Cam’ron Ismail

Egypt

Released

N/A

Seb Ferdinand

England

Released

N/A

Harrison Dudziak

England

Released

N/A

Sam Chapman

England

Released

N/A

Regarding departures, the big news is that Leandro Trossard has left for new pastures, signing for Turkish club Besiktas for around £15.3million. Having started an average of 20 league games across his Arsenal career, his average of 13 goal contributions per campaign will certainly be missed, but there is a consensus that the left-wing/left-attack position is one that needed upgrading.

Another exit is defender Jakub Kiwior. The Poland international had just spent a season on loan with Porto. His impressive form ensured that they exercised their option to make the deal permanent for around £14.7m, and he leaves three years after moving to North London. The only other exit was backup keeper Karl Hein, who has also seen his loan made permanent — joining Werder Bremen for a fee just under £3m.

Outside of that, the Gunners have allowed a whole host of youngsters to leave for free, including: Jadon Josh Nichols, Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Will Lannin-Sweet, Cam’ron Ismail, Seb Ferdinand, Harrison Dudziak and Sam Chapman.

Other potential deals include midfielder Fabio Vieira, who has spent the majority of his Arsenal career on loan. Even big names such as Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri could exit, as up to eight players could still depart.

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Tottenham Can Save Millions On Kroupi Alternatives

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Tottenham Hotspur are intent on testing Bournemouth’s resolve over striker Eli Junior Kroupi, although they have now identified two potential alternatives to the Frenchman, according to TEAMtalk.

Kroupi enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign in the Premier League last season, scoring 13 goals in 33 appearances for the Cherries as they qualified for the Europa League. This fruitful season has prompted clubs across Europe to observe the 20-year-old closely, and Spurs are now actively trying to sign him.

However, Bournemouth remain adamant that the teenager is not for sale, with prices in and around the £85million mark mooted as the type of fee that may prompt them to consider sanctioning his departure.

While the Lilywhites haven’t given up hope of landing Kroupi, they are preparing moves for alternative targets in case they can’t pull off this blockbuster deal for the former Lorient man.

Tottenham considering moves for Asllani and Tresoldi

Roebrto De Zerbi celebrates Spurs' win over Everton via Reuters

Spurs are on the hunt for a striker this summer, with Richarlison’s future uncertain and Dominic Solanke struggling for fitness and form last term.

TEAMtalk report that Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani has emerged as a target on the North London club’s radar. Asllani scored 11 goals and provided eight assists last season across all competitions for the German club, sparking Tottenham’s interest.

While Barcelona and RB Leipzig are also said to have tracked the Kosovan’s progress in recent years, Spurs have actively contacted Hoffenheim about the player’s availability in recent weeks.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi is another name under consideration. The German netted 23 times and registered seven assists last season for the Belgian outfit.

TEAMtalk suggest Spurs have carried out background work on Tresoldi, although they face stiff competition from Roma, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal for his signature.

Deals for either player shouldn’t be too difficult for Spurs to pull off, although Kroupi remains the preferred option.

Spurs should move for Nicolo Tresoldi

Nicolo Tresoldi

Kroupi is arguably the most promising young striker in Europe at the moment, although Bournemouth are seemingly staunch in their stance that they won’t cash in on the starlet this summer, unless Spurs fork out an unreasonable fee.

For that reason, Tottenham ought to accelerate a move for one of their alternative targets. The new season starts in just over a month, and the Lilywhites likely have limited funds left in their budget after spending big money on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, so they should stop wasting their time on Kroupi.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team needs goals, so Tresoldi seems to be the most sensible purchase they could make. Significantly more prolific than Asllani, albeit in a less challenging league, the Brugge star is just 21 and has shown a capacity to lead the line for a team in the Champions League.

The Belgian giants are set to sell Christos Tzolis to Arsenal for just £34million, possibly indicating that they’re prepared to negotiate reasonable deals at reasonable prices for their prized possessions.

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Man Utd Get Green Light To Complete £80m Deal

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Manchester United may have had a bit of a topsy-turvy summer transfer window so far, with key targets going elsewhere and the problems over signing Ederson after initially agreeing a £38million deal, but they have eventually got two new central midfielders through the door.

Andrey Santos made the £50million move from Premier League rivals Chelsea, while Youri Tielemans arrived in a £35million deal from Aston Villa.

But with Manuel Ugarte picking up an injury during World Cup duty with Uruguay, there has always been a feeling that United would go for a third central midfielder this summer.

Alex Scott has turned down a contract extension

Alex Scott

And now they have been given the green light to sign one of their top candidates in Alex Scott from Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign with the Cherries, starting all but four of their Premier League games as they finished sixth and reached the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history.

He is coveted by a number of the top Premier League sides, with United keen to secure his signature this summer, although he is likely to cost at least £80million to get a deal over the line.

But the hopes of completing a deal have been improved by the news that Scott has turned down a new contract offer to stay at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth are reluctant to sell their young star, despite the interest from elsewhere and had hoped they could tie him down to a new long-term contract on the south coast. However, that has not been the case, with the 22-year-old rejecting a new deal.

That will have alerted the likes of United when it comes to negotiating with the Cherries.

​​​​​​​Bournemouth remain steadfast in their approach to selling Alex Scott

Alex Scott
Alex Scott

Bournemouth made their first renewal offer in March and talks have continued since, until stalling this week, but GIVEMESPORT understands that the Cherries remain reluctant to a sale and are happy to keep the midfielder on his current terms, rather than cashing in.

He has a contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2028 and there is a calmness on the south coast about his situation.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

United have already made an enquiry about signing him this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester City also doing the same, and the news of a rejected new contract may just see interest ramp up.

The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein admitted United “love” Scott, who has been described as “special” by Bournemouth teammate Lewis Cook.

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