Tottenham’s young duo gives Redknapp food for thought
It must have been presumed when both Kyle’s, Walker and Naughton, were shipped out of Tottenham on loan to the championship that at least one of them wouldn’t make it back. That probably both would follow in the footsteps of fellow young right back Chris Gunter, who was never able to shine at White Hart Lane. But both have been firs team regulars at their loan clubs, QPR and Leicester respectively, and have been integral parts of those teams. Their form suggesting there may be some sort of future for either of them at Tottenham.
Kyle Naughton at Leicester has been a defensive revelation for Sven Goran Eriksson’s team, aiding the team as it climbs the table away from relegation. Leicester City fans are clearly pleased with his addition to the team. It’s a testament to the player how well he has been received considering the rather leaky defence he is a part of. But he has added a capable attacking threat to Leicester right hand side as well as defensive shrewdness. His form has led to Sven preparing a £1.5million offer to make his stay at the midlands club permanent. This may push Naughton’s position to the front of Harry Redknapp’s mind as his from for the Foxes has suggested he should not be disregarded so easily. Certainly his passing ability, attacking impetus and pace suggest he would be able to hold his own in the Premier League.
Kyle Walker, who was bought in with Naughton from Sheffield United at the same time in summer 2009, has been on loan at Championship leaders QPR since September. Originally the loan agreement was only for a month but after impressing in west London manager Neil Warnock decided to extend it to January. Called in by Warnock to cover for the injured Bradley Orr, it is a sign of how well he has done that despite Orr returning to full fitness Warnock is again keen to extend Walker’s loan deal beyond its current date of 3rd January, this time to the end of the current season. His experience in the championship has been very different from Naughton’s fitting in to a tight defence that doesn’t concede many and is chasing promotion at the top of the table. With the return of Orr Walker has been asked to test his versatility by switching to left back, although it was not overly successful as Rangers went 2-0 down to promotion rivals Leeds.
This versatility could hold Walker in good stead at Tottenham though, as there is a high number of right backs. In contrast, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is the only specialist left back at the club. Certainly having Hutton, Corluka the option of putting Kaboul at right back along with the two Kyle’s would be too much to have within the squad. And if Walker was given time to see if he could develop as a capable left back in the championship, perhaps he could return to Spurs next season to push Ekotto for a first team place. As of the two of them Naughton seems the more likely to succeed as a right back as Spurs with his natural attacking instincts causing havoc in the championship. Either way it’s a great dilemma for Harry Redknapp to have and could well spell the end of Corluka’s time in north London if they were both to return in January.
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It takes guts to bring young players up into the first team, risking dropping points. But it needs to be done.
The alternative is continued spending on the latest bright prospects from other clubs, and other countries. In the long run, the judicious development of academy players produces the strongest club. As happened with Man United under Busby, and as Wenger has done, like it or not fellow Spurs fans, with Arsenal.
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It would be good if Spurs could produce some players through their own ranks.
But our youth setup has not produced the goods that other clubs have and you cannot pick a player for the first team if he is not good enough.
I think we need to set our sights higher than just playing a lad because he is from the youth team even if it costs points. That is no way to get into the CL.
The loan system sorts the men from the boys and we should continue to use it to give the youngsters playing time.
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Kyle Walker is the best full-back in the league. He has been an absolute revelation for us this season and we’d love to extend it to the end of the season. Don’t ignore the fact that he is just as good going forward as he is defending. Also he only played 45mins at left back, he’s been playing right back the whole season keepnig Orr out of the team for a few months now.
Walker is the better of the two because he is just as good as Naughton attacking-wise yet far more solid defensively.
Unfortunately I think we have no chance of getting Walker permanently because he has been so good and this hasn’t gone unnoticed by ‘Arry or Kevin Bond
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Walker was one of our best players pre season and I was suprised he was allowed to go out on loan as I thought he was good enough for the first team. In my view he is a better player than Hutton, we shall see.
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11 million for the pair. And probably will be sold at about an 8 million loss having never played a league game for spurs. Hilarious. Spurs will be mid table again in a couple of years.
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I believe that Everton’s position in the table does not reflect their ability, look at he young players they have brought through the ranks and some now play for England.
TJ I don’t know where you got your £11m from, you must be a ragtop reader. For me the most overrated player in the prem is Walcott bought from Soton for £18m (inc add-ons.) Yes he got 3 against a missing Croat defence but every time I watch him he’s head down “what pass?)The pundits will say “ah pace, what pace he has.” Frankly my dear he does nothing with it, as BAE clearly showed by ushering his to the corner flag without fail!
Regards Baggyshorts
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awooga have you not seen steven caulker the young Center back who played against arsenal. he looks like a good player, just listen to the Bristol city fans and he won the young player award.
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Oliver yes Caulker looks a prospect but we need to have more prospects and have some of them actually deliver.
Most of the time our youth development seems like a drain on the club.
And what is the point of having a youth setup if we are then buying young players to train in it.
I think too many of them have the wrong attitude to succeed which is why so many of them flop when loaned out. cannot cut it in the real world.
Our youth development needs a shake up from the dross it has been for over a decade now.
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When a team gets success the chances of youngsters getting a game diminishes with every win. When we got in the Champions league all our prospects went on loan Mason Caulker Parrett Rose Walker Naughton Obika Mpoku Bostock Livermore Townsend . I would sooner have these playing has a Team in the reserves the Tottenham way.
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