Last season was a frustrating one for Kyle Walker.
The Tottenham and England full-back spent the best part of nine months out with a hip injury, unable to show the best of himself to new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Even when Walker did return, it was short-lived thanks to a foot injury that ruled him out from April until the end of the season. This lack of game time, coupled with Kieran Trippier’s arrival from Burnley over the summer, led to whispers that Walker’s stint at Tottenham could be nearing an end. But the 25-year-old put in the graft in pre-season, to prove he was ready to play an important role at White Hart Lane this campaign.
On the day we meet, Walker is proving his worth off the pitch too. Wearing a Tottenham branded apron, he’s behind the counter of one of the concession stands at the stadium, serving up cheese pasties and hot dogs to a group of excited youngsters with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. The idea is to help prepare the unemployed young people with the foundation to do the job themselves because, as of last Saturday’s game against Liverpool, they now run the stand at every home game. While they pick up valuable skills, the club ensures all proceeds go directly back into the foundation.
Once he’s finished serving – and posing for selfies – Walker takes off his pinny and tells us why Tottenham have all the ingredients to make this season a success.
The club started the season with one defeat and three draws before winning a game. Was the manager happy with that, or concerned about the wait for a victory?
“In-house, there were no worries. If we had beaten Manchester United [Tottenham lost at Old Trafford on the opening day] and lost three, then maybe it would be something to think about. Apart from the Stoke game, when we were 2-0 up at home and drew 2-2, our season so far has been relatively good. We’re a team that’s building for the future, but we can do big things this season as well.”
Are you back to where you were before the injury in terms of form and fitness?
“I probably feel the best I have in a good two years. It was one of those injuries no one could put their finger on. We tried every avenue before I went to surgery, but by then it looked like the only option. Touch wood, nothing has come back since. I can sneeze now without it being painful. Last season was stop-start for me, but I have a good pre-season behind me this time and I feel fresh and fit.”
Some of Mauricio Pochettino’s former players have said how tough his training sessions are. Is that having an impact on Tottenham’s fitness levels?
“I think the statistics show that: we outrun teams. And it’s better for us because we’re a young team. The more experienced players probably couldn’t handle what we do, so it’s lucky we haven’t got too many old heads [laughs]. He’s one of those managers whose door is always open. I know a lot of managers say that, but his really is. If you’ve got a problem in football, or even outside of it, you can always go and talk to him. Those man-management skills are vital for young players like we have. It’s critical to develop the squad, but we also need to develop as individuals.”
Has he brought in new training methods?
“He’s brought a few new things into the gym. One is basically a platform that you’re attached to with elastic cords and the quicker you run away from it, the quicker it pulls you back. So you’re working against your own force. I can work on accelerating, decelerating and changing direction – it’s helping my game.”
No team has looked infallible this season. Do you think that gives Tottenham a good chance of breaking into the top four?
“It’s difficult. It’s not like the Championship, but it’s not far off now because a lot of teams are beating a lot of teams. We just have to do the basics well, do what we’re doing in training and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season. Obviously everyone wants to play top-four football, but there are only four spaces and 20 teams.”
Tottenham are away to Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday before playing Bournemouth on Sunday. How are the team managing Europe this season?
“We’ve got used to it. It’s just normal now. We’re young, we’re fit, we have two days’ recovery and then we go again. I want to play as much football as possible and I’m sure the rest of the lads agree, so there’s no excuses. Okay, we might be a bit tired [on Sunday], and need to manage the game a bit differently, but our quality should still come through.”
Is the mental tiredness more difficult to manage than the physical side?
“Spot on. You travel, you train, you play, you travel back. It’s not your legs that are affected, it’s your mind, because you’re here, there and everywhere. But we are professionals and we have a job to do whether we’re tired or not. If you’re tired, then manage yourself differently. Make sure that when you get home from that Thursday night game, you get enough rest, eat well and prepare right for the game coming up.”
There were a lot of departures from the club over the summer. Did you ever fear for your own place in the team?
“You have to back yourself. Last season, when Ben Davies came in, me and Dan [Danny Rose] were wondering whether he’d play. In the end I’d say Danny was our standout player. Harry Kane got a lot of plaudits for the goals he scored, but Danny’s work ethic was second to none. I’ve tried to do the same as him this season. Kieran is a very good player, but you have to believe you’re better. I didn’t have the best season last year, so I had a lot to prove – not just to myself, but to the fans. And my dad, who’s my worst critic.”
Your dad’s your harshest critic?
“Yeah, he’ll tell me: you did well, but… you could do this or that better. It’s just what dads do, isn’t it? I think I’ll do it to my little boy. Not so much, maybe, but I will do it.”
You spent the first couple of years at Tottenham out on loan at Sheffield United, QPR and Aston Villa. How did that period shape you as a player?
“When you go out on loan as a youngster, at first you’re worrying about how the lads are going to take to you. But, once you get settled, in it’s a fantastic experience. QPR was probably what kick-started my career. They were winning every week and playing for Neil Warnock, who I’d played for at Sheffield United, gave me the confidence to just go out and play. But when Gerard Houllier wanted to take me to Villa, it was something I needed to do. I was in my comfort zone a bit in the Championship, so I wanted to see if I could take the next step. I did that, and got my England call-up a few months later. It’s vital to go out on loan and try to get that experience – not just on the field, but off it as well.”