Pep Guardiola Has Admitted That One Of His Players Is Struggling With The System
Manchester City have had a change of system this season and manager Pep Guardiola has revealed who he thinks does not do well in it.
Pep Guardiola has preferred a three at the back system this campaign with one of his full-backs playing an inverted full-back role effectively putting them in a midfield position.
Several players have filled in the role but Guardiola has said his usual first-choice right back Kyle Walker may struggle to get back into the side as he cannot perform the inverted full-back role.
Walker has suffered from injury issues this campaign and has even been linked with a move away from the side where he was once one of the most important players due to his recovery pace.
But now the 32-year-old has had a message sent to him by his manager via the media.
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“He 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.
“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 (Stones), he will maybe need time to do it and we don’t have time,” Guardiola said.
He also mentioned how Walker can use Nathan Ake as an example of how to get back in the side.
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He said: “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. We just need something and try to use it.”
Manchester City take on Southampton in their next game.
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