Alan Smith has stated that Kyle Walker-Peters has ‘developed a lot’ since leaving Tottenham, as he told Sky Sports Football.
Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, hasn’t got much right of late and selling one of his academy products falls into that category.
In 2020, the north London club, with Jose Mourinho at the helm, opted to sell their right-back to Southampton.
Serge Aurier, and then later on in the window, new signing Matt Doherty were the ones pushed to fight for that right-sided fullback spot.
Fast forward to today, Doherty has struggled for large parts and Aurier had his contract ripped up by the club last summer.
Not only that, but the 29-year-old also got himself sent off against England in a friendly on Tuesday night, with Walker-Peters coming off the bench to make his second appearance for his country,
Nonetheless, when discussing Walker-Peters’ talents, Sky commentator, Martin Tyler, labelled him a ‘very quick’ player, whilst ex-Arsenal striker, Smith, praised his development since moving to Southampton.
Martin Tyler: “Kyle Walker-Peters, during his time at Tottenham, he’s a Southampton player now. But he was an understudy to Serge Aurier.”
Smith responded: “He has developed a lot since then his Spurs days, Walker-Peters. He’s a resilient defender and someone who is really good on the front foot too.”
Tyler added: “Perhaps in games, his lack of physical stature might work against him. But he is very quick.”
Serge Aurier, Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal, as well as Japhet Tanganga on occasions, have been Tottenham’s right-backs since KWP left.
The versatile defender, who has played at left-back for large of this season for the Saints, could argue that he is better than the above players and also in better form.
But what is Tottenham’s loss is a gain for the player because he is now an England international.
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