Kyle Walker has been left out of the Manchester City squad in recent weeks and Pep Guardiola believes he will face an uphill battle to regain the starting spot from John Stones.
Pep Guardiola has raised big doubts about Kyle Walker's future at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has raised big doubts about Kyle Walker's future at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has admitted Kyle Walker has no place in Manchester City's current tactical setup, casting big doubts over his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Walker has been a mainstay in Guardiola City's squad since joining from Tottenham in the summer of 2017. The right-back has won four Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups and an FA Cup in his six years with Sky. Blues.
But he has been left out of the squad in recent weeks, starting just one of City's last five games in all competitions. The match ended with a win over Newcastle, with Walker playing just 11 minutes of the remaining four games. In his place, John Stones established himself at right-back, frequently moving into central midfield. And Guardiola reckons Walker will have trouble recreating Stones' performance in the reversed role.
"He [Walker] can't do it. To play inside you have to do learned moves. He has other characteristics. It will always have rhythm. He will be the fastest in this hall at 60," said Guardiola.
"The reason for that is tactical. Not because we lost faith in Kyle. He can play on the inside and he did it many times, but like in position [in the game against ] Liverpool with Rodri and John, maybe it takes time to do that." and we don't have time.
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Walker has found himself left out of the lineup in recent weeks
Walker has found himself left out of the lineup in recent weeks
"What they have to do is two things. Don't complain or there will be problems. And try to do better every day so that when I need them they are always available. Look at Nathan this season. Last season he didn't play a minute and now he is invincible.
"It happens. Nobody has a guarantee to me. They have to earn it and sometimes we need a different form of how we build or defend. Some players are better adapted than others. other. They take it personally, but we're not against them."
While downplaying Walker's chances of regaining his place in the team, Guardiola was full of praise for Stones. He believes the England international has adapted perfectly to the unnatural position.
"Our form was completely different [in the past] and maybe that's why he struggled a little bit more and now he knows, he's trained more, he knows more that our routine is a bit better and that's why he can use it better.", the city boss said.
"At the same time, it's a new position for him and he needs to be able to concentrate more at all times than when you play at centre-back or in other positions.
“When you look at the game from behind, it's completely different than when you're playing in the middle and being surrounded. Some moves and patterns are a bit more difficult, which is why I really appreciate what he did.
“We saw specific things [in John] with the ball, especially in the assist. We are happy to have him, but everything he has achieved here and with the national team belongs to him."
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