Tottenham sweat over Kyle Walker interest

Suitors from at home and abroad have Tottenham stressing over the future of star right-back and England international Kyle Walker.

At present Walker is Tottenham’s first choice on the right defensive flank, even if he didn’t start there against Chelsea in the 4-2 loss on Saturday.

The prospect of losing and adequetely replacing him is therefore almost too much to bear for Mauricio Pochettino and company.

The Evening Standard reports that Walker is meeting with Pochettino to discuss his and the clubs’ future over the next few seasons. He is reportedly happy at the club, but is finding it hard to ignore the longing glances from wealthier clubs.

At present Walker earns £70,000 a week based on the contract he signed in September of 2016. While that represents a big wage by Spurs’ current standards, it is a pittance compared to what Manchester City and Barcelona could offer him.

Both clubs are among those rumored to be lining up to submit bids in the coming summer. Tottenham, were they interested, would stand to make a healthy sum for themselves were Walker to leave.

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That would mean parting with not only a quality player, but one of the longest-serving veterans of the club. Bought from Sheffield United in 2009, Walker found his footing at Spurs after loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2012 and hasn’t looked back since.

It’s under Pochettino where Walker truly blossomed. Along with Danny Rose on the opposite flank, he is among the best full-backs in Europe. His flexibility and willingness to play wing-back only adds to his value.

All of which amounts to an argument to why Spurs shouldn’t sell the 26-year-old, even if he is currently at peak value potential.

Yes, the club would get a sizable cash infusion to re-invest in another right-back — or their new stadium — and Walker would get to realize his ambition, perhaps even within Camp Nou.

They would lose one of the most consistent and dangerous players on their roster however. For a coach like Pochettino who values a steady ship, giving up on one of his best assets doesn’t seem like something he would allow.

Were it to happen, though, Tottenham might not hurt too much. Kieran Trippier has only ever been Walker’s understudy in north London, but when he features he often proves himself to be a genuine Premier League starter. What’s more, Academy right-back prospect Kyle Walker-Peters is a promising possibility for the coming seasons.

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Contingencies aside, there seems little reason to fret about his departure at the moment. The club aren’t anxious to see their stars go and will, one way or another, show how much they value Walker. He might yet finish his career with Tottenham.