The curious cases of Paulo Gazzaniga and Kyle Walker-Peters
Paulo Gazzaniga and Kyle Walker-Peters put in three standout performances from as many starts last season. So, why was their playing time so limited? And what does the future hold for the pair?
Paulo Gazzaniga
At the age of 15 Paulo and his father swapped Argentina for Spain. He spent four years with Valencia’s academy before arriving at Gillingham.
In The Nowhere Men, Michael Calvin eulogizes the keeper with ‘big hands a big future’ after a scouting mission at the League Two side.
"“Gazzaniga showed remarkable elasticity,” Calvin writes, “throwing himself down, to his right, to make one of the best one handed saves I have seen.”"
The book goes on to highlight his ‘great attitude’ and notes the ‘fantastic accuracy and power’ of his kicking.
After just a year at Gillingham, Southampton captured the highly coveted signature. Gazzaniga made nine league appearances in his debut season for the Saints, not a bad return considering the competition between the sticks, but only managed another 12 in the next three before moving to Rayo Vallecano on loan.
Spurs had been monitoring Paulo since his days at Gillingham and 32 appearances in Spain was enough for them to finally make their move.
But the Tottenham faithful have seen much more of the strapping and handsome keeper in the club’s social media postings than the actual starting XI. The Argentinean has only managed a single appearance in all competitions for the Lilywhites thus far.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters journey to Spurs’ first team was much less of an odyssey. Kyle was born a stone’s throw from the Lane and came up through the fertile Tottenham academy.
Walker-Peters had long been touted as a future star before his breakthrough last campaign. The under 20 World Cup winner is a well-rounded, modern-day fullback who can play on either side.
Similar to his namesake, that he bizarrely first replaced in the team, Kyle’s strength is his athleticism. The youngster boasts the ability to maraud up and down the flank all day, with his pace usually enough to get him out of any sticky situations.
Last campaign
Gazzaniga
After a heroic mid-week performance against Real Madrid last autumn, Spurs were without some key players, including both Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm, for Crystal Palace’s visit.
Gazzaniga grabbed his chance with both of those ‘big hands’ and kept Spurs in the tie with a highlight-reel of fine saves.
Post match, Pochettino stated that Gazzaniga did ‘fantastically well’ and that he ‘is an unbelievable option to have as a keeper.’
Walker-Peters
With Kieran Trippier out injured and Serge Aurier still in Paris, Tottenham kicked off the last campaign with Walker-Peters on the right.
In a dull contest at Newcastle the debutant was the shining light, consequently awarded the man of the match gong by Sky Sports.
Despite a couple of decent outings and a goal in the cup, the young lion had to wait until the final day of the season before his next league start. The campaign went full circle as Kyle was the standout player with two assists and a performance full of endevour.
Why so little opportunities?
Although Poch has developed a stellar reputation for blooding young talent, he has been much less daring in recent years.
The Argentinean has always advocated bravery but Tottenham now sit with football’s aristocracy and there simply isn’t as much room for error at the top.
What does the future hold for the pair?
Gazzaniga
Lifting the World Cup in the summer will have surely silenced a cadre of fans who questioned Lloris’ number one status last season.
Meanwhile, Michel Vorm extended his contract until 2019. Vorm is one of the stronger back-up keepers in the league and at 34 would hope his experience still carries more weight than Paulo’s youth.
Gazzaniga’s father made a record number appearances as a River Plate goalkeeper but Paulo looks far from ever achieving a similar feat in his career. So why, six years after making his Premier League debut, would Gazzaniga be happy to remain as a third choice keeper?
For Paulo, even more-so than others at the club, Pochettino is likely the key factor. Paulo comes from Murphy, the same town as Poch, and one can only assume has a close relationship with the manager as well as the Argentinean coaching staff.
Paulo clearly feels his time will come and is willing to show patience, stating:
"“I will take it step by step in trying to become number one for Spurs.”"
Walker-Peters
If there was no break between campaigns then Walker-Peters would have likely started this one as Spurs’ first choice right back. But there wasn’t a single post World Cup XI composed without Kieran Trippier’s name in it. The former Burnley man has received global acclaim for his buccaneering displays in Russia and Poch was no doubt watching on with rapture.
While, much more will be expected of the erratic Serge Aurier in his second season. In between the rash challenges and foul throws there were glimpses of quality; but Poch will not stand for much more of the Ivorian’s reckless antics this time round.
Kyle was rumoured to be keen on a loan move to Southampton last season which was blocked by Poch. The gaffer clearly rates the youngster but if he doesn’t begin to get more playing time at Spurs then a host of other Premier League clubs will be more than willing to offer it to him.
Next: Tottenham playing dangerous game with Toby Alderweireld
How do you think the Spurs duo will fare this season?