Kyle Walker-Peters has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving supporters to question the club’s ambitions this summer.
Five years have passed since Kyle Walker-Peters bid farewell to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and made the switch to Southampton. The Tottenham academy graduate showed some promise, but was behind Kieran Trippier and even Serge Aurier in the pecking order.
He has been a regular starter at Southampton, making 30 or more appearances each season since he made his initial loan move permanent. This included him appearing in all 46 league matches in the 2023/24 season, as his team won promotion back to the Premier League after only one season.
Following Southampton’s recent relegation from the top flight, Walker-Peters could soon be on the move.
Tottenham have made contact with Walker-Peters and are interested in bringing him back to North London. This is because Spurs need more homegrown players and also locally trained players, as they would currently fall foul of Champions League squad rules.
Kyle Walker-Peters would be a sensible signing for Tottenham
Tottenham fans are divided over the potential signing of Walker-Peters. Some recognise how he could benefit the Tottenham first-team squad, but others have slammed the proposition of re-signing a former player from a dismal Southampton team.
Ultimately, Walker-Peters would be joining Tottenham as a squad player, not a first-team starter and on top of this, he would not cost a penny to sign.
Let’s face it, there is only a certain level of player who will join Spurs to serve as a right-back/left-back understudy. Signing a player who not only ticks that box, but also covers both sides and increases the club-trained ranks is a sensible piece of business.
The other option is to have a significantly smaller Champions League squad, which seems like a recipe for disaster. Some may argue that Tottenham should sign a player capable of pushing the existing players for their first-team spot, but Walker-Peters at least comes with a wealth of Premier League experience.
The 28-year-old would not only help make up the club-trained player figures for Thomas Frank’s men, but also provide a much-needed backup to Pedro Porro.
Pedro Porro is in desperate need of a rest at Spurs
The Spain international made 51 club appearances last season and he played the full 90 in many of these. Some of his performances were top class, but there were clearly times when he was struggling with the heavy workload he was subjected to.
By signing Walker-Peters, Frank would have the option to give Porro a break when it is required. As well as this, Djed Spence would be able to give all his attention to playing on the left side of defence, where he looked at his strongest last season.
The prospect of Walker-Peters’ return to Spurs is not one which will excite too many supporters. However, he has built up plenty of experience since his departure and has well over 100 Premier League appearances under his belt.
Signing an experienced, locally trained player on a free transfer at an age where he ought to be in his prime, would not be bad business at all.
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