Kyle Walker-Peters a gem in Tottenham win over Newcastle

Kyle Walker-Peters impressed for Tottenham Hotspur during the club’s near-flawless victory over Newcastle United on Sunday.

The summer months were rather unkind to the Tottenham Hotspur back line. Kyle Walker, who may or may not have feuded with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino during the 2016-17 season, completed a move to Manchester City. Kieran Trippier sustained an ankle injury that caused him to miss the season opener versus Newcastle United and will likely leave him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Danny Rose publicly threw Tottenham underneath the figurative bus via a controversial interview.

Enter Kyle Walker-Peters, the 20-year-old who, only a few months ago, was thought to be another season away from featuring in Premier League games but who was selected by Pochettino for the Newcastle contest. Pochettino didn’t have a plethora of options on Sunday, and he clearly wasn’t comfortable slotting Moussa Sissoko in the role currently owned by Trippier. Thus, the boss went with the unproven commodity despite his lack of top-flight experience.

Things started out rather smoothly for Walker-Peters, but disaster nearly struck when he fouled Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle inside the box. Fortunately for the debutant, the hosts weren’t awarded a penalty because play had been stopped due to Gayle being flagged offside before the contact. This moment seemed to serve as a warning, as Walker-Peters did well to avoid taking unnecessary risks the rest of the match.

He was reliable in defense, made clearances when tasked, became more confident before the halftime whistle and also proved to be a valuable asset attacking down the flank. In a strange contest bossed by Tottenham but only won 2-0 by the visitors, it was Walker-Peters who made the longest-lasting impression and who, deservedly so, earned Man of the Match.

The hard work begins here for @KyleLPeters after a "dream" debut at St James' Park today. #COYS pic.twitter.com/D2TDVCT6lw
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 13, 2017

Whether or not Pochettino will reward Walker-Peters with a spot in the starting XI next Sunday is anybody’s guess, but logic suggests the fullback will begin that match a spectator. After all, the gap that separates Newcastle from Chelsea, the league champions from last season, is wide despite the fact the Blues lost 3-2 to Burnley on Saturday. The thought of Chelsea testing Walker-Peters early and often on the Wembley Stadium pitch may be enough to keep Pochettino from playing him.

Even if Pochettino goes a different route seven days after his squad’s first victory of the season, Walker-Peters establishing himself as something other than a prospect for the future is only a positive for Spurs. The thought had by observers and also supporters is that the Tottenham starting XI is capable of winning the league even without Walker when in its best form and fully healthy.

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A lack of depth at multiple positions added along with Tottenham not yet making a signing during the open transfer window has led to concerns Spurs won’t have enough talent from top to bottom to hang with other contenders for the long haul.

Walker-Peters does not represent a new signing, but his solid performance versus Newcastle under the bright lights of the first competitive match of the campaign provides a boost for his immediate future and for Pochettino. Granted, Walker-Peters may not be selected for matches versus Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City, but the knowledge he could fill in against middle-of-the-table competition gives his manager some flexibility regardless of who Spurs sign before September.

The hopes, of course, are that Trippier will be back to 100 percent sooner rather than later, that Rose will be settled and remain with Tottenham and Walker-Peters will fall back down the squad list as originally planned. Remember, though, that Pochettino has done well to get the best out of young players who earn lineup spots, and it’s not a stretch to suggest the Newcastle game is only the beginning for Walker-Peters’ evolution.

With that said, all would do well to pump the brakes before dreaming of a future where Walker-Peters evolves into the next Tottenham defender who is called up for national team duties. As high as his ceiling may seem after one match, it shouldn’t be forgotten he is, at absolute best, someone who can push Trippier into realizing he isn’t guaranteed anything if he experiences a run of poor form. It’s possible Pochettino has added some depth to his squad without Tottenham having to spend a dime.