MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 06:43:25| >> :120:7648:7648:

Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters learning from his mistakes

Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters learning from his mistakes
© Reuters
The 21-year-old had a tough evening in Barcelona.

Kyle Walker-Peters believes he has already faced the toughest mental hurdle of his career even though he is just 21.

The right-back was handed his first Champions League start in dream circumstances as Tottenham went to the Nou Camp trying to secure their progression to the next stage.

But it quickly turned into a nightmare as he was robbed of possession inside the opening 10 minutes by Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, who raced clear and scored.

He later picked up a booking and then was sacrificed in the second half as Spurs chased an equaliser that ultimately secured a last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

It came just 24 hours after signing a new five-year contract and Walker-Peters believes producing such a high-profile mistake will be as tough as it gets in his career.

"I learnt a lot about myself," he said. "Two seconds after making the mistake, I was thinking, 'You know, make sure you don't die on the pitch!'

"But I think I went on to actually play quite well. I think I've got a good amount of mental toughness, to be able to do that. But again, it's all a learning curve for me.

"Especially coming in the Champions League, in a stadium like that against such a good team. To be able to look past that... also with the help of my team-mates straight away.

Ousmane Dembele robbed Walker-Peters of possession before scoring in the Nou Camp
Ousmane Dembele robbed Walker-Peters of possession before scoring in the Nou Camp (Emilio Morenatti/PA)

"Danny Rose came straight over to me and said, 'Keep going'. Harry Kane as well, he said a few things to me. As we went to take the kick-off he just said, 'Keep going. There's plenty of time'.

"That gave me confidence and that's why I went on to play quite well.

"It's always going to happen once in your career. Now it's happened I feel like I know how to deal with it. If it ever happens again – touch wood it doesn't – I'll know how to respond."

With Kieran Trippier having to manage a groin problem and Serge Aurier also suffering from injury, Walker-Peters could get plenty of game-time as Spurs' punishing fixture schedule continues.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted Walker-Peters is a full part of his squad and he could get the nod in Wednesday's Carabao Cup game at rivals Arsenal.

"If I get the opportunity, of course I'd be buzzing to play in the north London derby," he said. "I saw another young player do it a few weeks ago – Juan (Foyth) – and he did really well.

"If I get the opportunity, I'd be really buzzing. All I can do is appreciate that (Pochettino's comments).

"That starts on the training pitch by showing him every day that I'm willing to keep working, keep improving. Those words from the gaffer always help, especially as a young player hearing your manager has faith in you."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Jonathan Veal, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '0f348491-d7ea-4b2d-8a90-d8950bd0dae2');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters learning from his mistakes'});

ID:344545: cacheID:344545:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8038:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mauricio Pochettino applauds on December 11, 2018
Read Next:
Gary Neville backs Mauricio Pochettino for Manchester United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!