Mauricio Pochettino comments on Kyle Walker-Peters after facing Raheem Sterling

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Kyle Walker-Peters still needs to improve, after a decent showing against Manchester City.

The full-back was elected to start for the second game running at the Etihad Stadium, with Serge Aurier left on the bench.

The young Englishman arguably won’t have a tougher test all season than against Raheem Sterling, but coped relatively well considering.

Last year’s FWA winner helped himself to his fourth goal of the season and perhaps Walker-Peters could have done more to prevent the goal, but he was not entirely at fault.

Speaking about the 22-year-old, Pochettino said (quoted by football.london): “I think he still needs to improve. He’s still so young. It’s not easy. When you’re a back-up player, your excitement and motivation is massive when you have the possibility to play.

“Today I think was a massive test to play against one of the best offensive players like Sterling. I think one thing good, but other needs to improve on. He’s still so young but the experience will be massive for him.”

TBR’s view

Walker-Peters has probably done enough to warrant a third straight start for Spurs.

It’s hard to tell from Pochettino’s comments whether that will happen, but he was excellent against Aston Villa in the first game.

The potential is most definitely there – if he is afforded a run of games then there’s every chance he could really nail down a starting position.