With Kyle Walker now a Manchester City player, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur have lost a player who was important for them over the past two seasons, but the Englishman isn’t one of those stars who is irreplaceable. And the fee that the Citizens have paid to make him a Blue has handed the Lilywhites an even bigger budget to draw money out from.
It’s undoubted that the club need a new right-back, with Kieran Trippier being the only other good option Pochettino has up his sleeve. And we have a look at some Kyle Walker replacements that Tottenham Hotspur can look to sign this summer.
#5 Djibril Sidibe
Anything about the transfer window seems incomplete without the mention of a Monaco player. And if there’s a right-back who was one of the best in Europe and hardly got the attention he deserves, then it’s Djibril Sidibe.
Spurs fans are likely to remember Sidibe as the man who ran rings around their defence when the clubs met in the Champions League group stage game in France. An attack-minded full-back who can often operate as a winger as well, Sidibe made 29 appearances for Leonardo Jardim’s men last season, scoring twice and assisting five times in the league.
Also read: 5 players Tottenham Hotspur should sign to challenge for the Premier League title
The partnership he managed to strike up with Bernardo Silva on the right terrorised defences and dented Spurs hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions League as well. His performances were so good that the 24-year-old earned a call-up from the French national side.
Sidibe would be a like for like switch for Walker and with interest in him currently low, Pochettino should make a move.
#4 Joao Cancelo
A defender who is on the radar of a host of a big clubs in Europe, Joao Cancelo has long been tipped to be the next big thing in football. The Portuguese star isn’t as attack-minded as Kyle Walker, but he has the assured presence down the right flank.
Currently at Valencia, Cancelo was linked with Barcelona before the Catalans ended up signing Nelson Semedo from Barcelona, but Juventus are still said to be after him in their bid to replace Daniel Alves. The 23-year-old is versatile enough to play as a wing-back and often as a right midfielder as well and was one of Valencia bright lights in what was a frustrating season for Los Che. He assisted four times and scored once throughout the campaign.
Juventus are likely to lodge an offer for the full-back soon, but the money that Spurs have gained from Walker’s sale can well help them in trumping the Old Lady.
#3 Thomas Meunier
A man who is likely to fall down the pecking order following Dani Alves’ much talked about arrival at the Parc des Princes, Thomas Meunier was rotated with Serge Aurier at right-back by Unai Emery last season.
The Belgian is a regular for the national side and appeared 22 times for the former French champions last season, scoring once and assisting four times. He is a proper full-back and knows when to maraud forward and when to pick up the pieces in deeper areas. Blessed with a very good pair of feet, Meunier likes to attack and has the engine to cover a lot of ground too.
He won’t be a star signing, or as big as someone like Sidibe, but could eventually prove to be an answer to Spurs' prayers.
#2 Cedric Soares
Southampton have a history of selling their prised assets to big clubs and Cedric Soares could soon be one of those players. Before it happens though, Spurs can look to snap him up before anyone else does.
A familiar face for Premier League fans, Cedric has been one of the most consistent right-backs over the past two seasons after Manchester United's Antonio Valencia and Walker himself. His performances in the recently concluded Confederations Cup proved the qualities he has, if his showings for the Saints aren't enough to suggest so. He made 30 appearances for the South Coast side last season and was a regular throughout the campaign. He is consistent and likes to work hard on and off the ball.
While the others haven't proved themselves in the Premier League, Soares is one of those who already has after arriving from Sporting Lisbon in 2015.
#1 Elseid Hysaj
Someone who has silently been one of Serie A's most consistent right-backs ever since he arrived from Empoli in 2015, Elseid Hysaj could prove to be a surprisingly delightful signing for the North London side.
The Albanian International is a tough character down his flank and defends it with all that he has. He relies on his positioning and work-rate; an essential aspect of the Pochettino ethic and never hesitates in bombing forward. His style and approach to the game makes him a perfect fit for the Premier League and while he could assist only once throughout the campaign, he's got a real physique to unleash.
One of the most under-rated right-backs in the world right now, Hysaj could get some much needed attention with the move. And Spurs on the other hand, will have a wonderful player exactly where they want.
