Manchester City right back Kyle Walker may have some extra training at the City Football Academy to keep him busy during the international break after boss Pep Guardiola mentioned a tactical switch option with Aymeric Laporte out injured.
Embed from Getty ImagesGuardiola has mentioned Walker as a possible option at centre half for Manchester City after an injury to Laporte in the Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Brighton on Saturday, August 31, 2019.
Guardiola said he was “sad and concerned” by injuries to Laporte and Leroy Sane but reiterated that he and the club would “move forward.”
Having already explained that budgetary reasons prevented a move for Leicester City’s Harry Maguire – who has since moved on to rivals Manchester United – Pep used fit-again Fernandinho as stand-in centre half after Laporte went off after injuring his knee against the Seagulls.
The Brazilian executed a goal line header to prevent Leandro Trossard from pulling a goal back but Guardiola also mentioned that he’s not the only option to fill the gaps at centre back.
John Stones is expected to return from a thigh injury for the game against Norwich City after the International break – alongside veteran central defender Nicolas Otamendi.
And as well as Fernandinho, Guardiola mentioned that he could call upon academy players Eric Garcia (who was capped by Spain’s U21 side recently), and highly rated local prospect Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
In addition to the youngsters who could now find themselves on the bench while Laporte recovers Guardiola added a surprise option at centre half – Kyle Walker.
Walker, who was dropped by Gareth Southgate for England’s forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, has already been used as a right sided centre half by the England manager and now has two weeks in which to receive training with Guardiola if required.
If Walker, who has been in good form this season, is used as a centre half against Norwich on September 14 it could mean a first start for Joao Cancelo, who came on briefly at Bournemouth.
He has already praised Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fernandinho for their tactical awareness and flexibility in filling into unfamiliar roles during injury crises so could Walker be the latest player to fill in during a City’s time of need?