If it weren't for the last-minute goal conceded, Manchester City would have welcomed a long-awaited big win. In the 20th round of the Premier League against West Ham United, it was their first time in recent weeks to achieve two consecutive victories, with City's points reaching 34, and the team's form looking to be improving. However, it is somewhat regrettable that City ultimately failed to keep a clean sheet, conceding a goal in the 71st minute, resulting in a 4-1 outcome. And all this began with Guardiola's two substitutions.
Guardiola brought on Gundogan and Walker in the 61st minute when the team was already leading by four goals. Their entry did not continue City's good form but instead gave West Ham United an opportunity. Gundogan's current ability to intercept in midfield has significantly declined, and Walker's speed can no longer be his greatest advantage. Just three minutes after coming on, Walker received a yellow card for a foul, giving the opponent a well-positioned free-kick from which Paqueta almost helped West Ham United change the score.
Ten minutes after Walker and Gundogan came on, City's midfield was completely penetrated by three passes from West Ham United. Walker's defensive speed did not pose much of a restriction to the opponents, and Soucek's pass allowed Firkruge to make a central run and change the score. This goal conceded saw neither Walker nor Gundogan play their roles effectively, and the mentioned goal conceded and yellow card were just a microcosm of their entire game, especially Walker, whose role at City has clearly diminished, and the team should be prepared to let them go.
No one denies the contributions Walker made to City last season and in previous seasons, but the decline in form of the English right-back is an undeniable fact. The current Walker still has physical confrontations in defense at times, but there are obvious declines in both speed and form, unable to bring significant improvements to City's defense. Naturally, City's losses over the past period cannot be attributed solely to Walker, but he indeed played an unflattering role, and his performance is also one of the reasons for City's defeats.
According to English media reports, Walker is also considering the possibility of leaving City and may choose to leave in the winter window. However, it seems Guardiola has not yet chosen to give up on his favorite player, as he does not wish for Walker to leave in the winter window. Walker only renewed his contract with City before the start of last season, and his current contract has less than two years remaining. If City were to sell Walker at this time, they would not receive much of a transfer fee, perhaps because of issues with squad depth, Guardiola is unwilling to let Walker go in the winter window. However, if Walker's form does not improve soon, benching him or not playing him at all would be the best choice.