"He's now showing..." - Journalist drops big claim on Southampton ace rejected by PL rivals
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters is now showing he is a ‘top performer in the Premier League’, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The 24-year-old has become a crucial cog in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s setup over the last couple of years and is now beginning to be recognised for his impressive displays.
Walker-Peters arrived at St. Mary’s on an initial six-month loan deal in January 2020 before Southampton made his move from Tottenham Hotspur permanent that summer for £12 million.
Upon signing a five-year deal, the former England Under-21 international revealed that he felt as though he has ‘already developed’ under Hasenhuttl and that the club’s ‘great reputation for improving young players’ influenced his decision to complete a permanent move.
In his first full season with the Saints, Walker-Peters provided three assists across 35 appearances in all competitions as his side limped to a 15th-paced finish in the Premier League.
But despite being forced to play at left-back for the first half of the season due to the impressive form of summer signing Tino Livramento, he has elevated his game to new heights this time around.
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Walker-Peters has already racked up five goal contributions in just 21 outings while playing the majority of those games in an unfavoured position.
An injury to Livramento has allowed the 5 foot 6 ace to switch back to his preferred right-back role in recent weeks, and it’s set to be an intriguing battle between the pair to see who Hasenhuttl sticks with.
After struggling to break into the Spurs starting XI, Walker-Peters was forced to depart his boyhood club in search of regular game time.
And in doing so, O’Rourke believes he