EPL: Guardiola Defends Leaving Walker On Bench Despite His Pace

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has defended why he left Kylie Walker on the bench in their last two Premier League outings saying the fast pace right back "cannot do it".

Walker, who moved from Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad in 2017 after loan spells across England, had been an integral part of City's defence and made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, but Guardiola chose John Stones at right back over him in their 4-1 home win over Liverpool and 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Speaking ahead of a clash against button side Southampton later on Saturday, the Spanish tactician Guardiola praised Walker's pace but said that he does not have the characteristics to play in an inverted role, where fullbacks move inside into central spaces to dominate possession.

"He cannot do it," Guardiola told reporters on Friday. "He will always have pace; Kyle at 60 years old will be the fastest player in this room.

"To play inside you have to have educated movements – he doesn't have every one of the characteristics.

"He has played as a full-back coming inside in the past with four at the back.

"He has done really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it."