Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has impressed his manager Pep Guardiola in Matchweek 3 in the Premier League. However, the England international is going to compete with new signing Joao Cancelo to get his spot in the City first team.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said both right-backs need to be ready when they come back after the international break and against Norwich City on August 14.
“Joao we’re delighted with what we’ve seen and he wasn’t in the pre-season. Kyle knows things very well from pre-season and Joao starts to understand. Maybe tomorrow, maybe after the international break. He needs to be ready and when he is he will play.” Guardiola said.
“When we come back after the break we have Norwich and then travel to Ukraine to play Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League three days later we have a game here and then the cup that’s the start of the real season.” Guardiola added.
England national team on the other hand, they will face Bulgaria and Kosovo in the next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.
On Thursday, England manager Gareth Southgate has left Walker out of his squad for England’s upcoming matches because he wants to use the matches to develop young talents like Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bisaka and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Walker is one of the most experienced England defender available to Southgate. He has played 48 matches for his national team and was part of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
As for Guardiola, the Spaniard backs Southgate’s decision to leave Walker, but he believes his player is coming back and stronger in ahead of Saturday’s match.
“I’m not involved. We respect the decision. I think Kyle is coming back and is stronger,” Guardiola said.
“Of course I understand it and we support the manager of the national team, and Kyle. I’m sure the players want to go to the national team and play but this happens, so you adapt.” Guardiola added.
