by Pep Guardiola is yet to decide whether Kyle Walker will play for Manchester City again following the captain’s request to ‘explore the possibility’ of playing abroad.
The 34-year-old was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 8-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Salford City after informing the club on Thursday of his wish to leave.
Milan are interested in signing the defender and Guardiola was asked if he would continue to leave out Walker while his future hangs in the balance. City’s next match is at Brentford on Tuesday.
Related: Kyle Walker asks to leave Manchester City in search of overseas move
“I don’t know. It depends on how we are going to train [players perform in training]”, said the director. “It depends on him. The transfer window will end when it is over [at the end of the month] and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I told him: ‘Now it’s a question of market.’
Guardiola believes Walker could continue his career for another four years. “He’s an incredible player with an incredible physique,” he said. “When he’s focused, he’s unstoppable as a right-back. He is a top player, if he is fit, he can play another one, two, three or four years as a professional.
“I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career. [But] if he wants to explore [options]He should decide, not me. It’s not my decision.
Nathan Aké says Manchester City will miss Kyle Walker “massively” if he leaves during the winter window.
Aké was asked if Walker’s leadership would be a loss. “Massively. He’s a great player for us, a great character,” said the Dutchman. “He’s also a good guy, I’m very good [friends] with him. Let’s see what happens. There is no doubt that he was an important player for us.
Since joining Tottenham in July 2017 for £45million, Walker has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
“He’s been huge for us over the years,” Aké said. “This year too, a great character in the team. He deserves a lot of praise for all the years he was one of the best players at this club.
City’s win over Salford included a goal from 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly, who played as a left-back, as well as a hat-trick from 22-year-old attacking midfielder James McAtee. The one-year striker signed from West Ham in August also scored. Unused substitute Rico Lewis, 20, has recently emerged as first-choice right-back ahead of Walker. Aké highlighted these players as an indication that Guardiola is part of the next generation at City.
“We have a good mix of young players,” he said. “You see [against Salford] there are a lot of young players. We also have older players, so at the moment there is a good mix and the club has always been able to find the right balance between ages. I’m sure they will continue to do so.
