
<p>Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that star defender Kyle Walker can’t play in his current system.</p>



<p>The England international has started just two of the club’s last seven matches. </p>



<p>The Spanish manager has opted to pick John Stones in place of Walker.</p>



<p>Despite usually being deployed as a center back, Guardiola feels Stones fits his system better than Walker. “He [Walker] cannot do it. To play inside you have to make some educated movements,” Guardiola <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65219020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> in a press conference on Friday.</p>



<p>“[Walker] has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old.”</p>



<h5>Coach prefers full backs to push into central midfield</h5>



<p>Guardiola expounded on his decision to choose Stones, saying it comes down to tactics.</p>



<p>Widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the world, Guardiola likes to utilize his full backs in an interesting way. Instead of sticking to the touchline, the coach wants at least one of his full backs to invert and play more in the middle of the pitch.</p>



<p>Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo both performed this duty well during their time with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">City</a> in recent years. However, both defenders have since departed the team. </p>



<p>“The reason why is tactical. It’s not because we lost faith in Kyle,” continued Guardiola. “[Walker] 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.”</p>



<h5>Pep says Walker must work harder to adapt to system</h5>



<p>The demanding manager also asked Walker not to complain about being on the sidelines for now. Instead, he asks his players to put their heads down and work hard to get back into the team. </p>



<p>“What they have to do is two things,” stated Guardiola. “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 [Ake] this season. Last season he didn’t play one minute and now he is undroppable. It happens.”</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<p>City next face Southampton on Saturday in an attempt to gain ground on league-leading <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>. The Gunners are currently eight points ahead of reigning <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> champions City.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</p>


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that star defender Kyle Walker can't play in his current system..

Guardiola claims Walker does not fit current system - World Soccer Talk

Guardiola claims Walker does not fit current system

<div id="attachment_363701" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-363701" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Possession-based soccer remains the preferred style of play for many teams in Europe.</p>
<p>Clubs look to play through the middle of the pitch to dominate the game. Therefore, the flanks emerged as a critical area for teams to exploit in order to create more chances. Nowadays, play-making ability is essential for full-backs.</p>
<p>Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo understands the evolution of the sport. Also, he is perhaps the most in-form full-back this season in European soccer.</p>
<h3>Joao Cancelo’s emergence on to the scene</h3>
<p>Cancelo joined the blue side of Manchester in 2019 during a swap deal for Danilo, which also included $31.4 million going to Juventus. Like the Brazilian international, the Benfica product is adept at playing on both sides of the flanks in the backline. The right side is his preference, but versatility proves pivotal in Pep Guardiola’s system.</p>
<p>Last season, Guardiola decided on employing Cancelo mostly at left-back opposite of Kyle Walker. He was sensational.</p>
<p>The former Valencia player was a key figure in the Citizens winning their fifth Premier League title. He was even voted to the <a href="https://www.90min.com/posts/2020-21-pfa-premier-league-team-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PFA Premier League Team of the Year</a>. With Manchester United’s Luke Shaw occupying the left-back position in the Team of the Year, Cancelo took the right slot. Regardless, the honor is impressive. Additionally, Cancelo earned nominations to the league team of the year in three different countries: England, Italy, and Portugal.</p>
<p>Currently, the 27-year-old is having the best season in his career. His versatility allows him to play on the left or the right depending on Guardiola’s other options. With Oleksandr Zinchenko on the team sheet, Cancelo moves to the right. If Kyle Walker is fit, Cancelo shifts to the left.</p>
<p>Do not be fooled by the fact that he is a defender. Joao Cancelo’s emergence is perhaps more apparent on the offensive end. At least, that was the case on November 3. That day, the Portuguese international had three assists in a 4-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League. He became the first defender to accomplish this feat since Borussia Dortmund’s Achraf Hakimi did it against Atlético Madrid in October, 2018. Cancelo also scores some sensational goals, like his strike outside the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9f38m7xu3Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">18-yard box against Newcastle</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“He’s been outstanding. He’s assisting and scoring goals himself and for me he’s the best full-back, in terms of creating stuff, and how important he is to the team,”</em> said former City forward Paul Dickov on the Manchester City’s program Matchday Live.</p></blockquote>
<h5>Cancelo’s diverse positioning</h5>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-343224 size-medium alignright" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211229_WST_363677_Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-300x378.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=378" alt="" width="300" height="378" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-300x378.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City-150x189.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Guardiola-Manchester-City.jpg 338w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>
<p>Pep Guardiola popularized the ‘inverted full-back’ role during his four-year tenure at Bayern Munich. The three-time Premier League Manager of the Season realized that playing with a high line exposed his team to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/gegenpressing-how-does-the-football-tactical-style-made/1wc20wx6qtkkq1t36xj0px9mel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gegenpressing</a> and counterattacks. His resolution was to make his full-backs play centrally as midfielders. Ergo, the opposition slows down with more defensive-minded players cluttering the field.</p>
<p>Since then, the tactic is a staple in Guardiola’s philosophy. Joao Cancelo’s emergence through his touch, passing ability and positional awareness thrives in that role for Guardiola. In fact, his manager compared Cancelo to two all-time greats that he coached in his illustrious career.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Philipp Lahm is the best player I’ve ever seen in my entire life at being a full-back moving inside. But Joao, like Dani Alves has the quality,”</em> said Guardiola following the club’s 3-0 victory over Everton last month.</p></blockquote>
<p>Cancelo embodies the ‘total football’ tactical system. He can play as a left-back, right-back, central midfielder and potentially in the final third. The 2018-19 UEFA Nations League winner is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“I was brought up and developed as a right-back. However, I like to be versatile, because during the year, there are lots of injuries, so I want to help the team, and I can adapt to any position the manager (Guardiola) needs me,”</em> said Cancelo to Manchester City’s website.</p></blockquote>
<p>His versatility, technique and awareness makes him one of the most unique players in the beautiful game. Joao Cancelo’s emergence will be something to follow as Manchester City looks for more <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/26/leaders-man-city-hit-six-after-leicester-scare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League trophies</a>, and that Champions League crown that avoids the club from the Etihad.</p>
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Joao Cancelo's emergence for Manchester City has him as one of the best full-backs in the world, helping City to a league-leading position.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Kyle Walker"

English Football

Guardiola claims Walker does not fit current system

Leagues: EPL

Joao Cancelo's emergence as one of the world's best full-backs