‘He cannot do it’ – Guardiola explains ‘tactical’ reason why Kyle Walker hasn’t been starting for Man City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Kyle Walker cannot play in his preferred system which is why he’s been benched.

The City boss has pioneered a style which involves his full-backs playing in midfield when his side have possession.

It has proved a major success when performed by players such as John Stones and teenager Rico Lewis, but Guardiola concedes it is a tactic for which Walker, 33 next month, is not suited.

“No, he cannot do it,” said Guardiola. “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 that he doesn’t have every one of the characteristics. He has done ­really, really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it.

“It is just a question of skills. The quality sometimes you need specific things, there are players whose qualities would be like asking Riyad Mahrez playing full-back and he cannot play as a full-back.”

Walker looks set to miss out again at Southampton today, which will mark just the ­second time in his City career that he has been benched for three ­successive league games when fit.

But Guardiola insists he has not lost belief in the England defender and that Walker simply has to apply himself in order to regain his place.

“Be himself. Train well and he can play in the three at the back on the right,” he said.

“Sometimes we are playing Manuel Akanji or John Stones for that reason. The reason why is a tactical reason, not that we have lost faith in Kyle.”

City visit St Mary’s with prolific striker Erling Haaland available again after missing last weekend’s 4-1 win over Liverpool with a minor injury.