Former Tottenham defender Kyle Walker-Peters has claimed that he hopes to become England’s Philipp Lahm after receiving his first Three Lions call-up this week.
Speaking to BT Sport, the Southampton defender was asked about recent comparisons to the German football legend from Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, with the Austrian coach noting that Walker-Peters is as versatile as the former Bayern Munich icon.
Lahm was one of the best players in the world for multiple years as the 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning captain flourished in numerous positions for both Bayern and Germany, with Hasenhuttl saying that Walker-Peters could become as versatile.
Lahm started as a fullback before evolving under Pep Guardiola’s coaching into a world-class central midfielder, and for Walker-Peters, he has admitted that he aspires to be as versatile as the eight-time Bundesliga champion.
Walker-Peters said when asked about the comparisons: “It is always nice to be compared to the top, top footballers. Yes, I think that versatility is something I’ve had from when I was young. I’ve played in midfield, left-back and right-back.
The former Tottenham defender added: “Hopefully, yes, I can be England’s Philipp Lahm. There’s a long way to go until I can do that so I just want to do well this week and see what happens.”
Walker-Peters has much to learn before coming close to Lahm’s level
There’s no denying that Walker-Peters’ versatility is a huge asset to his came, with the defender established at both left and right-back and likely able to play more positions across the pitch.
Yet there’s no denying that the 24-year-old has much more to learn before the England international can come even close to comparing himself to Lahm, who was one of the most decorated players in the 21st century and an icon of the modern game.
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