Revealed: Reason behind Kyle Walker’s FA Cup absence as Pep Guardiola issues blunt three-word update on star’s Etihad future amid ‘links to Saudi Arabia’
- The Manchester City captain was absent from Saturday’s FA Cup match
- Pep Guardiola cast doubt on Walker’s future with the reigning champions
- Listen to It all starts! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
The reason behind Kyle Walker’s surprise omission from Manchester City’s squad for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against minnows Salford has been revealed as Pep Guardiola cast doubt on the star’s future.
Walker was not named in the City squad that arrived at the Etihad to take on Gary Neville and the Class of 92′-backed Salford, who were hoping to pull off a shock third round upset in the competition.
The 34-year-old endured the worst form of his City career during the side’s end-of-year struggles and has now found himself on the periphery of Guardiola’s squad.
Walker has made nine starts in 15 Premier League games for City this season but has been left out of the team in recent weeks.
It was expected that he would be given the chance to regain some confidence in the FA Cup tie with lower league rivals Salford.
However, the City captain was among a number of names dropped ahead of the meeting, despite Guardiola revealing the England international is fully fit to play.
The reason behind Kyle Walker’s surprise omission from Man City’s squad has been revealed
Walker has had a difficult run of form for City during the end-of-year battle
Pep Guardiola appeared to cast doubt on Walker’s future at the club amid links with Saudi Arabia
City’s head coach instead explained that Walker’s absence was ‘tactical’ as his side looked to kick-start their FA Cup journey after reaching the final in successive years.
Questions have been raised over Walker’s future in Manchester amid problems both on and off the pitch, with the right-back being linked with a possible move to a Saudi Pro League side.
Rico Lewis has put Walker ahead in City’s pecking order and the club could dip into the market to fund new defensive signings in the January transfer window.
When asked about Walker’s future at the club, Guardiola refused to get involved, replying: ‘I don’t know’.
The six-time Premier League champion signed a new three-year contract with the club last year, running until 2026, but was forced to leave early due to questions about his form.
Lately, Walker doesn’t seem to be hitting the usual pace his career and skill set has relied on so much.
Guardiola could give the green light to a sale to prevent the iconic title winner from seeing his contract expire on the sidelines.
The pair previously had a healthy relationship during City’s years of dominance, but Walker has previously flirted with the idea of leaving the club he initially joined from Spurs.
Bayern Munich had indicated ahead of the start that City would win the seventh Premier League crown of Guardiola’s legendary reign, but opted to extend terms with the English champions instead.
Walker has left the Man City squad after the club’s captain came on as a substitute this season
Meanwhile, several of his equally celebrated former teammates have made lavish moves to Saudi Arabia, with Riyad Mahrez among the cohort of ex-Premier League stars rewarded with huge salaries.
Walker could decide to eventually follow them to the oil-rich country, but doing so would likely end his association with the England national team ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Man City are ready to make defensive additions in the January transfer window.
A £35m deal for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is being completed, while City are also in talks for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.