OPINION
Kyle Walker-Peters received some sickening news today when it was confirmed that he wouldn’t be in England’s squad for the U21 Euro finals set for Italy later in the summer.
That decision, made by Aidy Boothroyd, comes despite the Tottenham right-back playing the full 90 minutes in all but three of the qualifiers for the tournament – all wins.
Walker-Peters is 22-years-old but eligible for the tournament as he was born after January 1, 1996 but it seems that his lack of action for Spurs has finally caught up with him.
For his sake, the player – on a reported £20k-a-week – needs to push for a move this summer.
Walker-Peter’s treatment under Mauricio Pochettino remains a mystery, especially given Tottenham’s troubles at right-back this season.
Kieran Trippier has been abject at times, Serge Aurier no better and injured, and that’s led to Pochettino preferring to play Juan Foyth – normally a centre-back – on the right towards the end of the season. How badly must he think of Walker-Peters and what does that say to the youngster about his future in north London.
He’s only been afforded 10 first-team appearances this season, with just four starts in the Premier League.
In his first Premier League start he helped keep a clean sheet, notched three assists and was then promptly dropped for the next game.
Fans rate him and want to see more of him but Pochettino has steadfastly refused to give him a run.
Now he’s out of the Euros he helped England qualifier for.
For the sake of his career he needs to move – on loan or permanently. He’s under contract until 2023 but what’s the point if he’s fourth-choice right-back, behind someone who normally plays in the centre?
If we were KWP we’d be beating Poch’s door down and demanding either to be played or to be moved on. For the sake of his career, that’s got to happen this summer.