Versatile Walker-Peters is hoping to be England’s Lahm
Kyle Walker-Peters may have just earned his first England call-up but he is already setting his sights on replicating the international career of World Cup winner Philipp Lahm.
The Southampton fullback was drafted into Gareth Southgate’s England squad as fellow defenders Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out for the upcoming Wembley friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Being able to operate on either flank has been a bonus for bothWalker-PetersandSaints this season and could see the 24-year-old emerge as a good option for Southgate to have around the camp.
Lahm, who captained Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and also collected eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League at Bayern Munich, was equally adept in both full-back positions.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has already seen similarities between the two, saying recently: “Kyle is an unbelievably smart footballer with a super football intelligence. He plays left-back, right-back.
“He reminds me a little bit of Phi li pp L ah mI must say, because he is so good on the ball, he always has good decisions. He can run and makes nearly no mistakes.”
Speaking at St George’s Park following his call-up, Walker-Peters said such lofty comparisons have to be a tar
get now he is in the England ranks. "It is always nice to be compared to top, top footballers,” he said.
“Yes, I think that versatility is something I’ve had from when I was young. I’ve played in mid field, left back and right back. Hopefully, yes, I can be England’s Philipp Lahm.
“There’ s along way togo untilI can do that so I just want to do well this week and see what happens.”
Walker-PetersmovedtoSt Mary’ s from boy hood club Tottenham in September 2020,
having initially joined on loan at the beginning of the year.
He had made just 24 appearancesfor Spurs in the two and a half seasons since breaking into the first-team and he believes taking the step to leave for Southampton is now working in his favour.
Tyrick Mitchell says he is living the dream having gone from playing in the shadow of Wembley Stadium to the brink of lining up under the arch for England.
Injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James led Gareth Southgate to draft in the 22-year-old and fellow full-back Kyle Walker-Peters for this month’s friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Unlike the latter, Mitchell had never represented England at any youth level before receiving a maiden international call-up that is just reward for his superb Crystal Palace performances.
The left-back is now in line to make his debut in the upcoming double-header at a stadium that provided inspiration throughout his childhood.
“It’s a dream come true for me and for my family,” Brentborn Mitchell said.
“I first lived in Wembley literally less than five minutes away from the stadium and then I moved a bit further out, but it was like 10-15 minutes away so the arch has always been there.
“I’ve always seen it. It’s always been something that when I’ ve either been at school playing football or just literally out, I’ve always seen the arch.”