Why Mauricio Pochettino must keep the faith with Kyle Walker-Peters

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Kyle Walker-Peters was thrust in at the deep end against Barcelona.

The 21-year-old was selected to start the crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday, with Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier both unavailable through injury.

It was something of a baptism of fire for the youngster, whose error led to a brilliant opening goal from Ousmane Dembele for the hosts.

Walker-Peters took a heavy touch which allowed the Frenchman to pounce on the halfway line and proceed to burst past the young full-back before finishing beyond Hugo Lloris.

In that moment, Walker-Peters’ lack of experience and regular game time really showed.

Pochettino can’t risk shattering his confidence

It was by far and away Walker-Peters’ most suspect performance in a Tottenham shirt.

Previously the Englishman has impressed every time he’s featured for Spurs.

Walker-Peters’ showing against Barca was no disgrace though – his lack of first-team opportunities cannot have helped.

The worst thing for Pochettino to do now would be to immediately drop Walker-Peters against Burnley.

Even if Aurier and Trippier recover in time, he should get the nod so he can remind everyone what a great young prospect he really is.

Losing his place straight away could shatter his confidence going forwards. He needs the chance to make amends straight away and Burnley is a ‘nice’ fixture in which to do that.

To leave a young player stewing over a high profile mistake would probably be unwise – he needs the chance to atone.