According to Guardian, West Ham are keen on securing the services of Kyle Walker-Peters. They are hoping to sign the Tottenham Hotspur defender on a loan deal as the newly appointed David Moyes looks to shore up his side’s defensive department. But, it is unclear as to whether Spurs would allow Walker-Peters to move to West Ham this January.
West Ham’s right-back woes
West Ham were dealt with a massive blow when it was revealed that Ryan Fredericks picked up a hamstring problem. The first-choice West Ham right-back isn’t expected to return to action until the end of February. As a result, the Hammers have had to rely on Pablo Zabaleta, who, at the age 35, lacks the fitness to compete in the fast-paced nature of English football.
That’s where Walker-Peters comes into the fray. The 22-year-old could provide fresh competition for Zabaleta and might even emerge as the primary alternative at right-back as long as Fredricks remains injured. It should help him gain some valuable game-time as the defender looks to make his mark in the Premier League.
Walker-Peters’ struggles at Tottenham
Walker-Peters was expected to enjoy a more prominent role in the Tottenham squad this season following the summer departure of Kieran Trippier, who joined Atletico Madrid. The youngster even started the first three Premier League games under Mauricio Pochettino. But since then, he has lost his place in the team to Serge Aurier, especially following the arrival of Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese mastermind has appeared reluctant on using Walker-Peters and has instead pinned his trust on Aurier, despite his inconsistent performances throughout the course of the campaign. As a result, the 22-year-old has played five games in all competitions this season, only one of which came under Mourinho, in the UEFA Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich.
Should Tottenham let him leave?
Letting Walker-Peters leave Tottenham could be a risky move for multiple reasons. The Lilywhites lack the presence of a reliable alternative to Aurier, who, as mentioned earlier, has been quite inconsistent. They have failed to sign a new right-back in the ongoing January transfer window and with just a few days remaining, it’s unlikely they will be able to do so.
Japhet Tanganga, meanwhile, has enjoyed a bright start to the year, notably putting in excellent performances against Liverpool and Southampton. But, the youngster could be used as a left-back, especially with Ben Davies injured and Danny Rose facing problems with Mourinho.
And with Spurs set to play in the Champions League knockout stages, the presence of an addition right-back in Walker-Peters could be imperative, as far as squad rotation is concerned. Hence, keeping hold of the young Englishman could be key, unless the north London giants manage to sign a new right-back this week.
