Report: Spurs identify player they hope can go on to fill right-back void left by Kyle Walker

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly hoping that Spurs academy gem Dermi Lusala can go on to finally fill the void at right-back left by Kyle Walker’s departure three years ago, according to Football London.

Walker was a fixture for Tottenham at the right-hand side of defence, making 229 competitive appearances for Spurs between 2009 and 2017, registering 20 assists and four goals, and being named in the PFA Team of the Year twice while at the club.

The Sheffield-born defender went on to join Manchester City in 2017 for £50million and, while Kieran Trippier filled in well enough at right-back up until leaving last summer, some of his displays came under criticism.

Lusala, meanwhile, has been impressing for Tottenham’s Under-18s, having made his debut last season while still at school, and was one of two players from his age group that made the trip over to Germany in the summer for the Oberndorf Under-19 pre-season tournament (Football London).

According to the latest FL report, which looks some of Tottenham’s most talented youngsters, the 17-year-old right-back has been getting plenty of praise within the club, is looking to step up to Wayne Burnett’s Under-23s squad, and “Spurs will be hoping he can finally fill the void left by Kyle Walker and never really filled since.”

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With the global health crisis having stopped football in its tracks, the industry is likely to experience a huge financial blow and potentially a big crunch, with television deals, transfer fees and salaries possibly ending up scaled down.

As a result, clubs may find themselves relying more on homegrown talent as opposed to bringing players in for big fees, and although Lusala is still a way away from first-team contention, he is highly rated at Spurs and there is a lot of optimism regarding him making the grade.