Tottenham defensive duo Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto will not be leaving the club this summer according to manager Harry Redknapp.
Walker was impressive during loan spells with QPR and Aston Villa last season and was recently rewarded with a one-year contract extention.
Redknapp now feels that the 21-year-old is ready to challenge for a regular starting place and won’t be sending the player out on loan against next season.
“He did great at Villa. He’s a great attacking right-back, loves to bomb forward,” the manager told Sky Sports News.
“He has got to improve defensively a little bit but he’s only a baby and he’s got a great future.”
When asked if Walker couild be staying, Redknapp added “For sure. He is the most exciting attacking right-back you could wish to see.”
Assou-Ekotto is another that has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane after big-spending Paris St. Germain were linked with a move for the Cameroonian international.
However, the 27-year-old remains part of Redknapp’s plans and would fight hard to retain his services.
“He’s a fantastic left-back, he’s absolutely top, top class. He’s a player we wouldn’t want to sell,” Redknapp said of Assou-Ekotto.
“He’s a character, a one-off. He’s got great ability. There are three or four great left-backs in the Premier League and he is one of them.”