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Tottenham starlet will force Rose or Trippier sale in January

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Kyle Walker-Peters of Tottenham Hotspur and Adam Hammill of Barnsley during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Barnsley at Wembley Stadium on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Kyle Walker-Peters of Tottenham Hotspur and Adam Hammill of Barnsley during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Barnsley at Wembley Stadium on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham will face an interesting January decision

The hype train of Tottenham starlet Kyle Walker-Peters is cranking up. The young fullback’s sterling performance against Barnsley in this week’s Carabao Cup clash only confirmed what Mauricio Pochettino already knew. Walker-Peters is too good to be third choice at any position.

Tottenham didn’t dominate their Championship opponents during their midweek matchup, but Walker-Peters’ play was a clear bright spot for his team. He played a nearly flawless match down the left flank. That performance, combined with his excellent debut at right back against Newcastle in the Premier League owner has allowed him to make a serious case for increased playing time.

The challenge for Walker-Peters is the talent ahead of him in Pochettino’s pecking order. On the right flank, he’s currently trapped behind Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier. His chances of beating out the flashy Ivory Coast international in the near term are pretty slim. Surpassing the former Burnley star, on the other hand, does suddenly seem like a distinct possibility.

Right back isn’t the only place he can be a factor for Spurs though. Walker-Peters played left back during a great deal of his Academy development. That’s somewhat unconventional since he’s clearly right-footed, but he’s continued to acquit himself well on the left flank against strong competition.

That means Pochettino could consider playing Walker-Peters on the left full-time. If he makes that choice, it would put him in competition with Ben Davies and Danny Rose. The Welshman’s excellent play as of late would make him very difficult to overcome. In sharp contrast, Rose’s injury absence and reported discontentment with the club’s wage structure could make him vulnerable to a charge from the young starlet.

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Add it all up, and it could make for a very interesting January transfer window for Tottenham. The club certainly couldn’t be blamed for sounding out offers for either Rose or Trippier. It’s highly probable that both men would generate significant interest in the winter transfer window.

Rose would certainly bring in the highest fee, but selling him would represent a serious risk. When he’s fit and motivated, he’s clearly the best left back in England. In the past, he and Pochettino have had what’s been described as a father/son bond. Parting with him to make room for a right-footed left back would represent a huge gamble.

Selling Trippier wouldn’t cause the club to take on nearly as much risk. He’s a solid fullback, but he showed he couldn’t carry the burden of being the club’s top right back after the sale of Kyle Walker. The harsh reality is that his lack of athleticism probably means he’s better suited to play at a lower level Premier League club. If Spurs could convince someone to overpay for him in January, it would represent another shrewd business deal for Daniel Levy.

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The one certainty here is that Kyle Walker-Peters is simply too good to sit on the bench all the time for Spurs. Sooner, rather than later, someone will be jettisoned to make room for the prodigious young talent. Don’t be shocked if it happens sooner than you might think. His ascension could lead to the departure of a big name Spurs star in January.

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