Southampton vs Sheffield United: Three Key Players from Saints’ win

Kyle Walker-Peters

It almost seems unfair not single out the likes of Theo Walcott, James Ward-Prowse or the indefatigable Oriol Romeu for praise after their respective showings but there are barely enough superlatives to describe Walker-Peters currently.

Although Cedric was always professional in the manner in which he performed his duties, Walker-Peters has shown the benefit of having a right back with pace and genuine attacking threat. Moreover, despite the occasional lapse of concentration, he is also handy defensively, an almost forgotten requirement for a full back in the modern age of cavalier defending.

There were several occasions where Walker-Peters looked in a precarious position against Sheffield United, only to produce a trick or burst of pace to relieve the pressure. His confidence knows no bounds as he provided constant support on the overlap. Willing runners fit well into Hasenhuttl’s set up and the young right back’s desire to be involved offers his centre backs a valuable out-ball.

With Hojbjerg shining at Spurs, this is one of those rarest of situations where both clubs benefitted from what was essentially a swap deal. At just 23 years, there seems no reason why in time he could not be challenging Trent Alexander-Arnold for an England berth. Just Nathaniel Clyne was an important cog in the success under Ronald Koeman, Walker-Peters could prove to be of similar worth to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s crusade up the table.