Analysing Kyle Walker’s influential wing-back display for Tottenham against Stoke City

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Tottenham returned to winning ways against Stoke City with a 4-0 victory, which has consolidated their position in the top four. After a disappointing showing in the Europa League, it was important that Spurs didn’t lose the positive momentum that they had built up during recent months and their performance underlined the confidence that remains at the club. The 3-4-2-1 formation has been a real success for Mauricio Pochettino this season and it was no surprise that they managed to blow their opposition off the park on Sunday. Harry Kane scored another hat-trick and Dele Alli quickly put his midweek sending off behind him with the team’s fourth goal.

Although he won’t be the one taking the headlines, Kyle Walker continues to impress on Tottenham’s right flank and he was one of the standout players in attack on Sunday afternoon. The change in system has given him an even greater license to push forward and he is a constant threat. Against Stoke, the team were reliant on him and focused a lot of their attacks down his side of the pitch. This is likely to be true in the majority of their matches over the next couple of months as Danny Rose is out injured. Despite being an accomplished defender, Ben Davies doesn’t have the same attacking prowess as Walker and Rose.

He has contributed the most assists of any defender in the Premier League this season and he had several chances to add to that, but his final ball wasn’t good enough. Walker had 77 touches of the ball on Sunday, fewer than only three of his team-mates, highlighting how important he is to Tottenham’s game. Although he didn’t manage to make a key pass during the match, he did attempt four shots and that was encouraging to see. If he managed to add goals to his game, he would be the complete full back and it is clear that he is attempting to do that.

That said, he needs to learn when to shoot and when to look for a pass, as he was wasteful on a couple of occasions. He seemed determined to score his first league goal of the season, with only Harry Kane attempting more shots during the match. The new role will allow him to get into more attacking positions, but he needs to become more intelligent in the final third. As a right back, he doesn’t possess the same decision making that comes naturally to attackers and that is something that Pochettino will need to coach into him. However, he has the raw attributes to become a success as a wing back and that was obvious on Sunday.

As a defender, Walker has developed a lot since the beginning of last season. Tottenham played Manchester United at Old Trafford and the right back scored an own goal to lose the game for the away side. He was a liability on that day and there were supporters calling for Kieran Trippier to be moved ahead of him in the pecking order. Despite his new role having less defensive responsibility, he has improved this part of his game massively and he contributed when called upon at White Hart Lane. He completed two interceptions and two clearances, which relieved pressure on his side.

There is a clear case for Walker to be considered as the best right back in the Premier League. He is a capable defender and carries a huge threat in the final third. The England international was clearly influential against Stoke City, but his end product let him down. He had enough opportunities to produce a goal or an assist and he failed to do so. It is clear that his decision making needs work, but the signs are there to suggest that he could become a Champions League level full back.

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