Tottenham fans were left massively frustrated last season, as a late slump by their team not only ended their title ambitions but also saw them finish below their North London rivals Arsenal. Pochettino used the summer transfer window smartly and brought in quality cover players like Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen. The season has started off brilliantly for the Argentine, as Spurs are still unbeaten in the League even with pundits saying that their performance level has dropped since last season. It would have pleased Pochettino to see his side grinding out wins but he must also be worried about the form of some players.
One player who has become a rock in Spurs’ defense line is English international Kyle Walker, the 26-year-old was excellent last season. He is a solid right-back with great physical strength but what is most impressive about him is his contribution in the attacking third. During the recently concluded European Championship, Walker was competing with Nathaniel Clyne for the starting right-back birth. Both the players were competing against each other in the Euros, however, Walker was chosen for the first two match and for that embarrassing defeat against Iceland. Both the players are excellent defensively and there is hardly anything to choose from there but the duo tends to focus more on getting forward to join the attack.
Last season Walker was by far the better full-back than the Liverpool player. He not only made more successful tackles but also made more interceptions. His physicality is also one of his big strengths, which is why he won more defensive duels than Clyne last season. This season the duo have been pretty even except the fact that Walker is excellent in the air, which is why he has won 10 aerial duels while Clyne has won only one. Walker is a far more experienced player, which is definitely one big reason why he should be the number one right-back for English national team. This season could see a clash a between their respective clubs with both Spurs and Liverpool looking very strong currently.
Now, talking a bit statistically; then Walker has outnumbered his counterpart in almost every aspect of the game. When talking about the distribution, Walker possesses an average passing accuracy of 81%, while Clyne only has a number of 78% although, the latter has completed more passes than the former. Both averages at least 4 defensive actions per game, but Clyne has been found guilty in one error that has led to the goal.
Both are considered as the pure English defenders as they possess exhilarating stamina and when talking about their skill in attacking third, Clyne is the winner as he has created 13 chances so far compared to Walker’s mere number of six, but what makes this attribute more interesting is the fact that Walker has two assists to his name, while Clyne has only one.
There is no doubt that Clyne is one great prospect but when stats speak; Clyne lags.
Kyle Walker has won 59% of his average duels so far and looking at the breakdown, then the stats are as follows:
- Won 10 out of 14 headed duels
- Won 7 out of 10 take ons
- Won 11 out of 19 tackles
Clyne, on the other hand, has only won 34% of his duels and the breakdown is as follows:
- Won 1 out of 10 headed duels
- Won 3 out of 5 take ons
- Won 9 out of 19 tackles
Well, even though the season has just started, Walker has asserted his authorities right away and he is the clear winner here.
