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This young full-back has the potential to solve Spurs’ defensive problems – opinion

Kyle Walker-Peters has been mainly behind the scenes for large periods of his time at Tottenham, having come into the fray through the Lilywhites’ youth system. The 22-year old has made just five appearances this season and has not featured in the Premier League since August.

Mourinho has involved the young Englishman once since he took over at Spurs and amid rumours that Brighton are keen to sign Walker-Peters in the January transfer window, it is worth pondering whether the right-back is a wasted talent, especially considering the dreadful run Tottenham’s defence is experiencing.

Mourinho has chosen to deploy Serge Aurier on the right flank for most of his games in charge, while Sessegnon or Vertonghen are being chosen to occupy the other side of the defensive line. Aurier and Sessegnon have a tendency to push high up the pitch and leave vast voids of space behind them on the wings, while Vertonghen is a little defensively flat-footed while playing as a wing-back.

Kyle Walker-Peters, although somewhat error-prone, seems more switched on when it comes to defensive positioning and control and has had opportunities to play either as a right-back or left-back in the past.

If the number 16 is to be given a chance in the starting XI and discouraged from flying off up the pitch, Spurs may have more joy when it comes to defending, as the backline isn’t effectively reduced to two centre-backs and no full-backs. Walker-Peters could sweep up on the right flank, while Vertonghen could shift further towards the left, with Alderweireld or Sanchez taking care of the centre.

With the frequency of Kyle Walker-Peters’ matches at a low point, the prospect of the departure of the Englishman from Spurs in January is still up in the air. However, if given a few chances, he can be a defensively solid player as a full-back and could help solve Spurs’ problems in the defensive line.

Harry Mahon

90maat's team correspondent for Tottenham Hotspur, graduate of Loughborough University and current student at the University of Surrey.

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