Jamie Redknapp believes Kyle Walker will be the subject of summer transfer interest.
Tottenham’s Kyle Walker prepares to take a throw in
Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he expects Tottenham ace Kyle Walker to be in demand this summer due to the popularity of wing backs.
Tottenham picked up a 2-1 win over Manchester United in their final ever game at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon, signing off from their 118-year home with goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane.
Elsewhere, Chelsea clinched the Premier League title with a 1-0 away win over West Brom, whilst another London club picked up a win on Saturday evening, with Arsenal beating Stoke City 4-1 away from home.
The three clubs may have a deep-rooted dislike of each other, but they all enjoyed great success by playing three at the back during spells of this season.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte made a season-defining switch to a 3-4-2-1 system back in September following a defeat to Arsenal, Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino has switched between 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 with great success, whilst Arsene Wenger has implemented a similar system with Arsenal in recent weeks.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino gestures towards Kyle Walker
Other managers are moving in a similar direction, with three at the back with attacking wing backs becoming the new tactical trend in the Premier League after years of most teams playing a four-man defence.
Now, pundit Jamie Redknapp has suggested that ‘managers are like sheep’ in copying the three at the back approach, noting that it’s no surprise that Arsenal’s form has picked up since making the switch.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Redknapp, speaking to the Daily Mail, also predicted that Tottenham’s Kyle Walker – a rampaging right wing back being heavily linked with a move away – will be in demand due to the three at the back trend.
“First it was Chelsea, then Tottenham and now Arsenal who have benefited from playing a back three,” said Redknapp. “It is no coincidence that Arsenal have won six of their seven matches since adopting the system. Playing three at the back gives you an extra central defender while against Stoke, wing backs Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal were particularly threatening going forward.”
“Managers are like sheep. Now Antonio Conte has become the first boss to win the Premier League with this system, we will see more managers adopting it. Playing this way only works with the right players and wing backs will be a valuable commodity this summer. I expect the likes of Kyle Walker will be top of several shopping lists!” he added.
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