Walker-Peters happy to have 'proved a few people wrong' at Tottenham
Kyle Walker-Peters says he is happy to have ‘proved a few people wrong’ at Tottenham following first senior England call-up… just 18 months after they allowed him to join Southampton
- Kyle Walker-Peters was drafted into England squad for first time this week
- Walker-Peters moved to St Mary’s from boyhood club Spurs in September 2020
- He had made just 24 appearances for Spurs in the two and a half seasons
- He believes taking step to leave for Southampton is now working in his favour
Kyle Walker-Peters insists he is pleased to be proving his doubters at Tottenham wrong after earning his first England call-up.
The Southampton full-back was drafted into Gareth Southgate’s England squad as fellow defenders Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out for the upcoming Wembley friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Walker-Peters moved to St Mary’s from boyhood club Tottenham in September 2020, having initially joined on loan at the beginning of the year.
Kyle Walker-Peters is pleased to be proving his doubters wrong after earning his first England call-up
He had made 24 appearances for Spurs after being handed his debut by Mauricio Pochettino
He had made just 24 appearances for Spurs in the two and a half seasons since breaking into the first-team and he believes taking the step to leave for Southampton is now working in his favour.
Asked if he had proved the doubters during his Tottenham days wrong, Walker-Peters added: ‘Yes, that’s what I want to do.
‘I wanted to go to Southampton because I know they believe in me and wanted me to play regularly.
‘I proved a few people wrong which is nice. I am focusing on performing for Southampton and to keep on improving.
Walker-Peters moved to St Mary’s from boyhood club Tottenham in September 2020
‘It was definitely something I’ve really learned from,’ he added of his time at Spurs. ‘I had some really good performances but then didn’t play again. I didn’t let it dishearten me, I looked at it more as ”the process”.
‘I trusted in Pochettino and I’ve learned a lot from it, in that once you’re in a side and you’ve established yourself not to take it for granted. Rather than look at it negatively, I look at it positively.’
It comes after ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said Spurs made a mistake by letting the 24-year-old go nearly 18 months ago.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, he said: ‘Kyle Walker-Peters. It’s great to see him. I remember watching him at Tottenham and I’m thinking ”they got rid of him and brought in Serge Aurier”.
‘When I watched Serge for a couple of games I’m thinking ”’I’m sorry, Kyle Walker-Peters is a better player”.
Walker-Peters believes taking the step to leave for Southampton is now working in his favour
‘They brought Emerson Royal in and I’m saying ”I’m sorry, he’s a better player”. And even with Doherty, who does great stuff going forward, I’ve watched Walker-Peters and I’m glad he’s got the call-up.
‘I’m thinking ”why have Tottenham got rid of him when you see how he plays”?’
Being able to operate on either flank has been a bonus for both Walker-Peters and Saints this season and could see the 24-year-old emerge as a good option for Southgate to have around the camp.
But he is already setting his sights on replicating the international career of World Cup winner Philipp Lahm.
Lahm, who captained Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and also collected eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League at Bayern Munich, was equally adept in both full-back positions.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has already seen similarities between the two, saying recently: ‘Kyle is an unbelievably smart footballer with a super football intelligence. He plays left-back, right-back.
‘He reminds me a little bit of Philipp Lahm I must say, because he is so good on the ball, he always has good decisions. He can run and makes nearly no mistakes.’
He is setting his sights on replicating the international career of Germany legend Philipp Lahm
Speaking at St George’s Park following his call-up, Walker-Peters said such lofty comparisons have to be a target now he is in the England ranks.
‘It is always nice to be compared to top, top footballers,’ he said.
‘Yes, I think that versatility is something I’ve had from when I was young. I’ve played in midfield, left back and right back.
‘Hopefully, yes, I can be England’s Philipp Lahm.
‘There’s a long way to go until I can do that so I just want to do well this week and see what happens.’
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