April 08, (THEWILL) – Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has explained his decision to leave Kyle Walker on the bench for their last two English Premier League games, saying that the defender cannot play in an inverted full-back role in his system.
Although Walker has been an integral part of City’s defence this season, Guardiola chose John Stones at right-back over him in their last two games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
While Guardiola praised Walker’s pace, he said that he does not have the characteristics to play in an inverted role, where full-backs move inside into central spaces to dominate possession. “He cannot do it,” Guardiola told reporters, adding that to play inside, one must have educated movements, which Walker lacks.
City travel to bottom club Southampton later on Saturday, as they aim to close the gap on Arsenal at the top to five points. With Guardiola’s side still competing for the EPL title, the manager’s decision to bench Walker highlights the importance of having the right players in the right positions to execute his tactical plans.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
