Today’s player of the day is the current PFA Young Player of the year holder and Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Kyle Walker.
Walker enjoyed a great season in 2011-2012 becoming a first team regular for Spurs and earning his first senior England caps. Walker’s efforts on the pitch didn’t go unnoticed from his peers as he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year award ahead of the likes of Sergio Aguero and Danny Wellbeck as well as featuring in the PFA team of the year for the 2011-12 season. Walker initially joined Spurs back in July 2009 signing from boyhood club Sheffield United, however he was loaned straight back to the club for the remainder of the season as part of the transfer deal.
Walker was recalled from loan in January 2010 and made his first senior debut for Spurs on the 27th of March in a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth Football Club. The 2010-11 season saw Walker has successful loan spells at both Queens Park Rangers Football Club and Aston Villa Football Club before returning to Tottenham for the start of the 2011-12 season. Walker was named in the starting XI for Tottenham’s opening day fixture against Manchester United and was a key part to Spur’s season culminating in the North London club finishing fourth. Walker impressed throughout the season which will particularly be remembered for his 25 yard winner against local rivals Arsenal in October and his powerful free kick which helped in the 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Walker has made 39 appearances so far in his Spur’s career scoring 2 goals in the process. Although having signed a new contract extension taking the defender up to 2016 it appears they’ll be plenty more games in a Spur’s shirt for Walker yet.
His good form in the 2011–12 Premier League season saw him named in the England squad for a friendly against Spain. On 12 November, Walker made his England debut in the 1–0 win over Spain, coming on for Scott Parker as a substitute in the 85th minute
Walker went on to make his first start for England on 15 November 2011, in a match against Sweden. His good form saw him win the Man of the Match award at the end of the game. He was also left out of the euro 2012 squad due to a toe injury and again from the GB team for London Olympics 2012.
Walker only has the 2 caps for his country due to injury, however at the age of 22 it seems as though Walker has a bright future ahead of him and potential to make the England number 2 shirt his own for many years to come.
Source: DSG
