Kyle Walker ‘not needed’ by Man City as new details emerge – pundit
Alan Hutton has claimed Pep Guardiola “doesn’t need” Kyle Walker in his Man City side.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said Guardiola isn’t using full-backs in his current system but acknowledged that the situation could change.
The 32-year-old has only started two of the Manchester club’s last seven matches.
As quoted by the BBC (8 April), the City boss acknowledged that Walker will struggle to get back into the team because he can’t play in the current system.
Guardiola has favoured John Stones in recent weeks in an inverted full-back role which sees the defender push into central midfield alongside Rodri.
The Sky Blues manager insisted he has not lost faith in Walker but said he will need more time to adapt the the new style.
When asked if Walker will be able to force his way back into the City side, Hutton told Football Insider: “He has definitely got the capability.
“I think when somebody has got that electric pace as well, he has not exactly lost a yard. Of course there is room for him to get in.
“The thing with Pep Guardiola, he is a genius when it comes to tactics, he knows when to change things and he does not feel he maybe needs full-backs at this moment in time. But that could change, he changes his tactics quite often.
“This is working for him at this moment in time so he might not need and out-and-out full-back. But that does not mean he won’t in the coming weeks or next season.
“He has definitely got the talent to get back in, sometimes you just have to be patient.“
In other news, Aston Villa turn attention to sign Man City star in club-record deal.