Pep Guardiola drops another hint over Kyle Walker's Man City future

Pep Guardiola's team selection for Manchester City's FA Cup third-round clash with Salford City sparked further speculation around the future of captain Kyle Walker.

Walker has not started a game for the reigning Premier League champions since the dramatic 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester United on December 15.

City have been strongly linked with moves for young defenders Abdukodir Khusanov of Lens and Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis, seemingly confirming speculation that Guardiola and the Etihad Stadium hierarchy are keen to press on with a squad rebuild after a disappointing first half of the season.

Rumours of a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League for Walker suggest movement might not only be one way in east Manchester and it was notable that the 34-year-old England defender was left out of the 20-man matchday squad to take on Salford.

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Is Kyle Walker leaving Man City?

Journalists Joe Bray of the Manchester Evening News and Paul Hirst of the Times reported from the stadium that Walker had been omitted for "tactical" reasons.

Given career midfielder Matheus Nunes started at right-back — claiming an assist for debutant Divin Mubama as City opened up a 3–0 halftime lead — and Rico Lewis rested up on the bench, claims of a Guardiola tactical hunch from the club don't feel like they paint a complete picture.

Asked about Walker's future at his pre-match news conference, Guardiola did not unequivocally rule out a departure for the player he signed from Tottenham in a £50 million deal in 2017.

"I don’t know about that," he said when asked about the Saudi rumours. "Maybe he's not playing the minutes like he played in the past. Rico Lewis is playing really well, and of course the central defenders and Josko [Gvardiol]. I decide for that." 

Guardiola is now likely to be asked for his observations after the Salford match, with the future of one of his historically most reliable lieutenants under the microscope.