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

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.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

“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.

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

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.