End of an era at Man City as Aston Villa line up four-time Prem winner and second star gets greenlight to leave

As many as three extremely high profile Man City defenders could leave the Etihad this summer, with one being lined up by Aston Villa and another getting the greenlight to leave, per reports.

Pep Guardiola has shown a willingness to evolve from a tactical standpoint this season. Gone is the customary 4-3-3 formation that has been replaced by a 3-2-4-1.

Man City were once known for spending £50m-plus on full-backs virtually every summer window. However, in Pep’s current formation, there’s not a single full-back in sight.

Indeed, centre-backs make up the back three in the system, with a fourth – John Stones – often deployed in the double pivot alongside Rodri.

That’s left the likes of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo out in the cold. The latter was loaned out to Bayern Munich in January and per reporter Ben Jacobs, may have played his final match for the club.

Walker, meanwhile, was recently in the headlines following comments made by his manager.

When asked if there’s a place for Walker in the 3-2-4-1 formation, Guardiola admitted: “No, he cannot do it.

“He will always have pace; Kyle at 60 years old will be the fastest player in this room.

“To play inside you have to have educated movements – he doesn’t have every one of the characteristics.

“He has played as a full-back coming inside in the past with four at the back. He has done really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it.”

Walker is 32 and his contract in Manchester is due to expire in 2024. With his importance to Guardiola clearly diminished, an exit this summer would make sense.

Aston Villa set sights on Kyle Walker

On that front, Football Insider report Walker is being lined up by Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa.

Villa currently sixth in the table and thanks in large part to the red-hot Ollie Watkins, look on course to return to Europe next term.

Matty Cash and Ashley Young are Emery’s primary options at right-back. However, Young is 37 and cannot go on forever.

FI report Villa have ‘set their sights’ on signing Walker who’d also bring a wealth of European experience.

Villa will back Emery to the hilt this summer and while a huge transfer fee wouldn’t be required for Walker, a hefty commitment in wages would be.

Emery reportedly wants a ‘proven performer’ who could make an instant impact at Villa Park. Few fit that billing better than Kyle Walker.

Centre-half to bring exits to three?

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail bring news of Aymeric Laporte potentially joining the defensive exodus too.

He, Cancelo and Walker have been mainstays in numerous title-winning sides for Guardiola, though an end of an era is looming.

Laporte has fallen behind Nathan Ake for the left-sided role in the back three this year. At 28. the Spaniard does not wish to spend what should be his prime years warming the bench.

The Mail report Man City ‘will not stand in Laporte’s way’ if he wishes to pursue a move elsewhere. In effect, he’s been given the greenlight to leave.

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