Tottenham Hotspur’s Anton Walkes justifying Atlanta United loan with stellar MLS displays

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Anton Walkes is highly-rated at Tottenham Hotspur and has siezed his chance across the pond in style.

It’s rare that Mauricio Pochettino allows one of his most highly-rated young prospects to leave North London on loan. As the manager himself as admitted, he prefers to keep Tottenham’s best and brightest, such as Harry Winks, in and around the first-team to ensure they are fully integrated into his methods by the time they are ready for their senior bow.

However, Pochettino made an exception for Anton Walkes. At the age of 20, the defensive midfielder-turned-right-back may have hoped to have made more of a breakthrough to Spurs’ senior side by now but, as it stands, his only appearance for the first-team came in an EFL Cup thrashing of Gillingham last year.

Yet, Pochettino has allowed Walkes is belated chance in the professional game – sending him on loan to MLS newcomers Atlanta United. And Walkes, in his own words, is loving ‘every single moment’ as he hones his trade under former Barcelona and Argentina coach Tata Martino (below) while getting ready to play in front of the newly opened 75,000 capacity, $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

‘Great experience’

“I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made so far,” Walkes, whose initial loan deal has been extended for the remainder of theyear, said in quotes reported by ESPN.

“I’ve enjoyed every single moment. It has been a great experience, you’re learning so much. You have to mature on and off the pitch, so it’s a lot of adapting.

“There’s a lot more pressure, there’s no time for mistakes. In youth-team football, you’re allowed mistakes here and there because the coaches always encourage you and say you’ve got time to improve.”

Walkes, who has made 12 appearances so far for Atlanta and scored his first senior goal against San Jose Earthquakes, hints at a future at Spurs, however, claiming that Pochettino has asked him to return a better player.

The arrival of Serge Aurier and emergence of Kyle Walker-Peters means Walkes still faces a huge challenge forcing his way into Spurs’ plans but, if he does, his loan at Atlanta will be all worthwhile.