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Ian Wright cannot understand why Tottenham sold Kyle Walker-Peters

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Ian Wright has told Wrighty’s House that he is baffled as to why Tottenham Hotspur sold Kyle Walker-Peters as the full-back prepares to potentially make his England debut in the coming days.

Walker-Peters signed for Southampton on loan in January 2020. And his move was made permanent just a few months later, with the Saints paying £12 million for the youngster.

England Training Session
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

He has since gone on to prove to be an absolutely outstanding signing for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side. Not only has he been superb in his natural position of right-back, but he has also spent much of this campaign thriving at left-back.

Of course, his ability in both roles may not come as a surprise to Spurs fans. Walker-Peters was named man of the match on his full Premier League debut for Tottenham. And he seemed to have a knack of stepping up whenever he did get an opportunity.

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

However, it was getting that chance that proved problematic for the 24-year-old. He came into the first-team at a time when Spurs had Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier. And he never managed to make himself first-choice before his departure.

That position has been a problem for Tottenham in the last couple of years. The likes of Aurier, Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty have all come in for heavy criticism at various stages.

And with Walker-Peters now in the England squad, Wright expressed his bemusement at Tottenham letting him leave for St Mary’s.

“Kyle Walker-Peters. Its great to see him. I remember watching him at Tottenham and I’m thinking they got rid of him and brought in Serge Aurier. When I watched Serge for a couple of games I’m thinking ‘I’m sorry, Kyle Walker-Peters is a better player’,” he told Wrighty’s House.

“They brought Emerson Royal in and I’m saying I’m sorry, he’s a better player. And even with Doherty, who does great stuff going forward, I’ve watched Walker-Peters and I’m glad he’s got the call-up.

“I’m thinking why have Tottenham got rid of him when you see how he plays?”

Tottenham made mistake not giving Walker-Peters chance to prove himself

It is potentially difficult to be too harsh on Tottenham for letting Walker-Peters go. Neither Mauricio Pochettino or Jose Mourinho seemed to see enough in him.

Spurs were also in a much stronger place at that time. So it was probably harder to justify putting full faith in Walker-Peters.

However, it does appear to have been a mistake to not give him a run at some stage. He made 12 league appearances across three seasons.

Had he had a run and not shone, Tottenham selling Walker-Peters would have made a lot more sense. Instead, fans are left to wonder if it was a real error to let him go.