Walker-Peters predicted England debut TWO YEARS AGO despite surplus of right-backs as Southampton move gamble pays off
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KYLE WALKER-PETERS’ reaction to the arrival of Tino Livramento at Southampton goes a long way to explaining his recent England call-up.
Newly-capped KWP was said to be initially a little taken aback when the Saints signed fellow right-back Livramento from Chelsea in August.
After all, Walker-Peters himself had joined the club permanently just a year earlier on the proviso that he would get the game-time he was lacking at Tottenham.
But instead of moaning about the increased competition, the defender never complained, rose to the challenge and even adapted his own game to boost his minutes.
That involved making himself a more than capable left-back, and that versatility played a big part in him winning his first two Three Lions caps in the last week.
His appearances in the friendly wins over Switzerland and Ivory Coast are a testament to his model-professional attitude.
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It also saw him make good on the aspiration he divulged to SunSport back in September 2020, which at the time seemed very unlikely to happen given the wealth of right-back competition.
In an interview shortly after signing for Saints permanently, having spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan from Spurs, KWP said: “The only way of getting into the England team is by playing regularly and performing.
“I felt I did that towards the end of last season and now I need to continue that and show consistency. Then there’s no reason why I won’t get selected for England.”
Saints signed Walker-Peters for £12million because they loved his potential.
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On the day he signed on loan, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl took him to "the Black Box" - a dark room at the club’s training ground with a cinema screen and tactics board - to explain to the youngster what he expected of him.
Walker-Peters took time to adapt to being away from boyhood club Spurs and to Hasenhuttl’s all-action style.
But he had a very solid last campaign which was why it came as a surprise to all - including Walker-Peters - that the club signed a player in his position during the close-season.
Saints were not expecting Livramento, who only turned 19 in November, to be ready for the first team so quickly.
But the teenager’s fabulously fearless displays at the start of the campaign made him indispensable.
Walker-Peters responded by working even harder and converting himself into a rampaging left-back in the mould of Joao Cancelo.
Anyone who has witnessed some of his excellent performances bombing up the flank at St Mary’s would likely agree with that comparison.
Southampton’s own adaptation this term to a team that enjoys possession more has helped him too as Walker-Peters is a player who can hold onto the ball, not just run and defend.
The main thing the 24-year-old has focused on in the last year, apart from the positional switch, is being more aggressive in his forward-play.
He looks to get into the final third more and his end-product, in terms of shots, crosses and link-play, has improved.
The Londoner has even been deployed as a winger this term.
And there has been no animosity between himself and Livramento, only healthy competition that is driving both players on to new heights.
Livramento, who played in both of England Under-21s’ victories this international break, explained: “There’s never been that jealousy. Obviously we want to push each other to make each other better.
“But he’s always helping me and hopefully I’m always helping him.
“He’s been outstanding of late for Southampton. Probably, for me, our best player. Obviously everyone was buzzing for him (with his England call-up). He’s deserved it.”
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Walker-Peters is a big chess fan and used to play the world’s oldest game with close pal Dele Alli back at Spurs.
It is fair to say the Saints defender has thought a few moves ahead by adapting his game in the wake of Livramento’s arrival - and it has led to Gareth Southgate checking him out.