Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has praised Kyle Walker-Peters’ recent displays and hinted that he is likely to stick with the Spurs man at right-back until the end of the season.
Walker-Peters had a slow start to his loan spell at the St Mary’s, with Jan Valery ahead of him in the pecking order when he arrived at the club.
However, the Spurs youngster has managed to stake his claim for the right-back slot with his performances in the Saints’ last two games.
After impressing as a second-half substitute against Arsenal, the 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Southampton’s 3-1 win at Vicarage Road last Sunday.
It could be crucial for Spurs that Walker-Peters continues to impress Hasenhuttl, with reports claiming that the North Londoners are hoping the right-back could be used as a bargaining chip to land Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer (Football.London).
It sounds like the Saints boss has certainly been impressed with the England Under-21 international’s efforts over the last few weeks.
Speaking about the Spurs loanee, Hasenhuttl told Hampshire Live: “I always said he would have a chance in the last few games to show up and he will get this chance.
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“It is a difficult game now, but he is in a good way, I think he worked hard in the pre-season, he showed his character and against the ball, he was more aggressive in the duels and that was more what I want to see from him.
“On the ball, he gives us some very good solutions on the right side also, a lift in possession going forwards.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The way that Southampton play suits Walker-Peters, whose game is about being on the front foot and getting up and down the right-hand side. However, it will be interesting to see how he copes against Manchester City this evening. Going up against Raheem Sterling will certainly be a big test for him defensively.
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