Walker tipped to leave Man City after Guardiola ‘buried’ England defender with ‘scathing’ criticism
Tony Cascarino believes Kyle Walker's Manchester City days could be over after 'scathing' criticism from his manager Pep Guardiola.
The 32-year-old has endured a difficult few weeks after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium following a change of formation - with Guardiola making it clear he sees no future for the England international in his new system.
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With City now playing with three centre-backs, Guardiola has opted to play with two inverted full-backs, two players who transition between a wide position and the role of a central defensive midfielder.
John Stones, Rodri and Rico Lewis are three of the players to have occupied the new-look role in recent weeks, with Walker left to watch from the sidelines as a result.
And when asked why Walker hasn't been used in the position, Guardiola didn't pull any punches by saying he doesn't have the 'skill' to play the role.
The Spaniard said about the defender: "He cannot do it.
"He will always have pace, he will be the fastest in this room at 60. To play inside you have to make some movements, he has other characteristics.
"He has played as a full-back coming inside with four in the back with Joao [Cancelo] or Alex [Zinchenko] in that position and Kyle has done it really well.
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"But with this shape of three in the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it."
Guardiola added: "He can play coming inside and he has done it many times but, like in the position of Liverpool with Rodri and John, he will maybe need time to do it and we don't have time.
"It's just a question of skills.
"The quality sometimes you need some specific things, there are players that have his qualities. You would not ask Riyad [Mahrez] to play as a full-back because he cannot play as a full-back.
"The reason why is tactical. It's not because we lost faith in Kyle."
Discussing his comments, talkSPORT pundit and former Chelsea striker Cascarino believes it could mean the end for Walker at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking on the Weekend Breakfast, Cascarino said: “It’s a small line on this, but it’s scathing.
“Guardiola revealed that the 32-year-old cannot follow tactical instructions that he’s required to take up. John Stones is doing it and he can’t do it – that is scathing.
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“To say that, it sounds like quite a nice way of putting it, but he’s a senior pro. He’s had huge success at Man City and his manager is saying he’s not capable of following instructions. He’s talking to him like he’s a teenager!”
Responding to a comment that he’s ‘a goner in the summer’, Cascarino added: “I think that that line has confirmed that he’s not going to play any part [next season].
“I’d be amazed, because you’re talking about a senior pro who has achieved a lot, and in one line you’ve buried him.”
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