OPINION
Tottenham defender Kyle Walker-Peters was blocked a potential loan exit in January despite his reported wishes and manager Mauricio Pochetitno may have made a mistake with that decision.
Reliable journalist Dan Kilpatrick, who is an ESPN FC Spurs correspondent, reported on his personal Twitter account on Monday that the 20-year-old wanted to depart on a temporary basis in the January transfer window.
KWP fancies a loan move before Wednesday because he wants to play RB. Spurs want to keep him as cover though.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) January 29, 2018
However, the England Under-21 international has remained with the north London club following the close of the window and will battle for a spot in the first team in the second half of the season.
Pochettino did allow the likes of Marcus Edward and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou to leave on loan during January, but full-back Walker-Peters has been kept at the club.
Spurs should have allowed the youngster a spell away to help his development and they have seen how effective the loan market can be for developing talents.
Walker-Peters is already being tipped for a great future with the club and move to a Championship club would have made him a far better player come the summer.
He is a right-back by trade and has been kept by Pochettino, with his versatile surely a big factor.
The Englishman can play in either full-back position, but has looked uncomfortable when deployed on the left flank.
Walker-Peters has made just six senior appearances this season and the chances are he won’t make too many more.
He has four senior full-backs ahead of him in the pecking order in the shape of Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier, Danny Rose and Ben Davies.
The defender is at a critical stage of his career where playing regular football is best for his progress and it seems like a mistake from Pocehttino to keep him around the squad.