KYLE Walker-Peters has insisted he is “comfortable playing anywhere” after featuring in the 10 role versus Manchester United, before Ralph Hasenhuttl compared him to German icon Philipp Lahm.
The 24-year-old right-back by trade had already made a case of his versatility this campaign by playing 13 of the first 18 league matches on the opposite side of Hasenhuttl’s defence.
The experiment came off the back of Tino Livramento’s explosion into the Premier League meaning the pair were both all but un-droppable.
With the 18-year-old returning from a meniscus injury and left-back Romain Perraud displaying fine form of his own in his absence, Hasenhuttl then had to find a way to get all three into the XI.
He did so by moving starter Walker-Peters into the 10 role for a late cameo during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, before revealing that he has also played as a six, or a central midfielder, during training.
This led to the Austrian comparing Walker-Peters to World Cup-winning captain Lahm, who was famous for playing all of the positions to a continental and international title-winning level.
“I’ve played left-back this season as well, right-back and now in the 10. I’m comfortable playing anywhere,” Walker-Peters told the Daily Echo, after the draw with Red Devils.
Looks like Walker-Peters playing as the right ten, after Livramento replaced Elyounoussi.
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 12, 2022
Loads of people have called for Tino to play as a winger before, KWP the choice instead. #SaintsFC
“I’m just happy to be on the pitch and to help my teammates get results. But yeah today I enjoyed it, my little 15 minutes in the 10 position and I think I did alright.”
Speaking after he scored in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last month, he told us: “The most important thing for me is being on the pitch, whether it is right-back or left-back.
“I think I am showing people that I can play on the left as well – last season I played it all on the right, so it is good to show people what I can do and I am just enjoying playing my football.
“I think you are starting to see it more and more in football that right-footed players are playing left-back and I think if you’re good enough on the ball and can show that you can defend on both sides then why not, you know?”
He continued: “I think I have shown in games that I can use my left foot to cross, shoot, and like I said I want to show everyone how versatile I can be. I’m enjoying my football whatever side it is on.”
After being one of the club’s standout performers since he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020, Walker-Peters has this season displayed impressive maturity for Hasenhuttl and the team.
One would imagine it was unthinkable he would not be in the starting XI at the beginning of the campaign, but he had to wait until matchday three for his first start, with Livramento hijacking his favoured position.
That, despite Livramento being just a teenage summer arrival who had never played senior football and only 45 minutes of pre-season.
The 2017 Under-20 World Cup-winner simply forced himself into a place where many are now calling for full England international involvement, and he only has encouraging words for his competition.
“I think he is a really talented player,” Walker-Peters said, when asked about the former Chelsea youngster.
“He started well on his opportunities and I am really happy for him.
“When there is two really good players competing for a position, if it means that one has to play on the other side then so be it.
“I am happy to be on the pitch and playing football, hopefully we can continue these strong results.”
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