Kyle Walker-Peters admitted that he is delighted to be playing regular Premier League football, but claims that he’d still be at Tottenham if it wasn’t for the sacking of former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The 22-year-old, who was handed his Spurs debut by the Argentine on the opening day of the 2017-2018 Premier League season, started each of Tottenham’s three league matches at the beginning of this campaign prior to his hamstring injury against Newcastle United.
Walker-Peters also started the EFL Cup defeat to Colchester United at the end of September, but the dead rubber Champions League game against Bayern Munich back in December is the ex-England Under-21s only minutes since the arrival of Jose Mourinho.
As a result, the right-back joined was loaned out for the first time in his career, signing for Southampton for the rest of the season, although he’s made just one appearance and hasn’t featured since suffering a calf injury against Burnley on his Saints debut last month.
Walker-Peters told Southampton’s official club website: “I think had he stayed, I’d still be at Tottenham. He was never really big on loans. There were always opportunities for him to send me on loan and he never did, so I think that showed his faith in me.
“Despite not playing me all the time, it showed that he wanted me around. If he hadn’t left, I don’t think I’d be on loan, so it just shows how fast football can change.
“[Jose] Mourinho comes in and I get to play one game, but I don’t really get an opportunity like I thought I would, in terms of two or three games rotating with Serge Aurier, but the manager has to make decisions. That was his decision, so that’s fine.
“I’m just happy to be here – I get to play Premier League football with top players still, I get to learn a new style, meet new people and come into a different situation in the league, which is good for me.
“Ultimately, whatever happens it’s positive for me, because I can only learn and only improve.”
