Pep Guardiola has admitted Kyle Walker has no place in Manchester City 's current tactical set-up, throwing major doubt over his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Walker has been a mainstay of Guardiola's City team since arriving from Tottenham in the summer of 2017. The right-back has won four Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup during his six years with the Sky Blues.
But he has found himself out of the team in recent weeks, starting just one of City's last five games in all competitions. That came in a win over Newcastle, with Walker playing only 11 minutes in the other four matches.
In his place, John Stones has stepped up to feature heavily at right-back, frequently moving into central midfield. And Guardiola believes Walker would struggle to replicate Stones' performances in an inverted role.
"He [Walker] cannot do it. To play inside you have to make some educated movements. He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old," Guardiola said
"The reason why is tactical. It's not because we lost faith in Kyle. He can play coming inside and he has done it many times, but like in the position [against] Liverpool with Rodri and John, he will maybe need time to do it and we don't have time.
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"What they have to do is two things. Don't complain or there will be a problem. And try to do it better and better so when I need them, they will be ready. Look at Nathan this season. Last season he didn't play one minute and now he is undroppable.
"It happens. Nobody has a guarantee with me. They have to earn it and sometimes we need a different shape for the way we build up or defend. Some players adapt better than the other ones. They take it personally but we are not against them."
While he played down Walker's chances of being able to retake his place in the team, Guardiola was full of praise for Stones. He believes the England international has adapted perfectly to an unnatural position.
“Our shape was completely different [in the past] and that’s why maybe he struggled a little bit more and now he knows, he practiced more, he knows more our routine is a little 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 has to be able all the time to concentrate more than when you play as a central defender or other positions.
“When you see the game from behind it’s completely different to when you play in the middle and are surrounded. Some movement and patterns are a little bit more difficult that’s why I appreciate a lot what he has done.
“We saw some specific things [in John] with the ball, especially in the build-up. We were happy to have him but all that he has achieved here and with the national team belongs to him."
