Man City boss Guardiola explains Kyle Walker's lack of game time.

Guardiola explains Kyle Walker's lack of game time in recent weeks as he urges the England international not to complain and adapt rapidly.

Walker, 32, has started only two of Man City's past seven matches [Getty Images]

Defender Kyle Walker will find it difficult to get back into the Man City starting XI.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has surprisingly said that right-back Kyle Walker doesn't have the 'educated movements' to play in the current system being used at the Etihad Stadium.

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The English defender, who has made 238 appearances for the Cityzens since securing a move from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2017, has found it difficult to get consistent game time in recent weeks, starting just two out of seven matches as Guardiola continues to implement the inverted full-back role where they move into central midfield when they attack.

"He (Walker) cannot do it. To play inside you have to make some educated movements," said Guardiola as BBC Sport quoted.

"He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old.

"The reason why [Walker has not been starting regulary] is tactical. It's not because we lost faith in Kyle.

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"He 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."

The ex-Barca and Bayern boss Guardiola, however, confirmed that Walker will get more game time so far he doesn't complain and adapts to the system rapidly.

"What they have to do is two things," the Spaniard explained. "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.

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"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."

Reigning Premier League champions Man City currently sit in the second spot in the English top flight and visit Southampton at St Mary's today [on Saturday evening].

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