Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion inspects the pitch prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tariq Lamptey could be a transfer option for Manchester City
Kyle Walker has arguably struggled more than any other Man City player this season. In a defence that has looked frail and disorganised for the majority of the season, Walker has been one of its biggest weaknesses and teams are continuously exploiting it.
From as early as September when Arsenal visited the Etihad, Walker has been at fault for goals and points dropped. He has been a wall in title-winning defences in the past, but has age finally caught up with him when few opposition players could catch up with him.
Is it time for Walker to move on and is the next generation in Rico Lewis ready to step up and replace him?
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Last Saturday’s demolition at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur was the clearest indication yet that Walker’s best days are surely behind him. He didn’t have much to handle on his side of the pitch for the majority of the match, but he must surely take all the blame for Spurs’ fourth goal.
For a player known for his lightning pace off the ball, being completely outpaced by Timo Werner shows Walker is perhaps past his best. Even if it’s argued that Werner had been on the pitch for four minutes and Walker had been there for 94, it isn't the first time he’s been defensively poor or outpaced this season.
He had glaring mistakes directly leading to goals conceded against Arsenal and Watford as well being completely outpaced by Adama Traore against Fulham.
If Walker’s time has finally come and City do look to replace him in the right-back position, is 20-year-old Lewis ready to replace him or should City look elsewhere?
Lewis had already played more minutes this season than Walker and has become a player Guardiola relies on heavily. His fast offensive skillset and ball retention have allowed him to flourish under Guardiola’s inverted full-backs system.
However, he’s often struggled defensively with strength and awareness, and it may be a sign that he’s simply not ready yet. A player City might want to put on their radar instead is Brighton’s 24-year-old Tariq Lamptey whose contract expires next summer.
In terms of a long-term replacement for Walker in Guardiola’s extremely demanding full-back position, the Ghanaian could be the perfect candidate to succeed the struggling captain. Many teams in the Premier League are very interested in signing Lamptey in the summer, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
A free transfer for a young pacey and skilful right-back would turn the heads of any top club. If Guardiola chooses to replace Walker in the long-term and Lewis fails to prove his ability to step up, then surely a free move for one the league’s hottest talents is the next step for the champions.
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