Kyle Walker-Peters was crucial to Southampton securing promotion from the Championship under Russell Martin last season.
When Southampton were relegated from the Premier League in the 2022/23 season few expected Kyle Walker-Peters to remain at the club.
Russell Martin would have been as surprised as anyone that a player of such talent was still available to him to him by the end of the 2023 summer transfer window, with Southampton instead selling fellow right-back Tino Livramento to Newcastle United.
Rather than sulk, Walker-Peters got his head down and worked hard to help get Southampton back to the Premier League at the first attempt, even refuting interest from Chelsea in January to finish the job he had started.
Interest in Walker-Peters was again rife this summer, particularly given he has now entered the final year of his contract, but Southampton have again managed to keep hold of one of their star players.
Southampton Kyle Walker-Peters is back on England radar
There is always a worry for players at clubs in the bottom half of the Premier League that it will be more difficult to earn international recognition.
Walker-Peters is a very ambitious footballer and will be keen to add to his two England caps so far, so it will have been a real boost for the former Tottenham man to be name-checked by interim England manager Lee Carsley when announcing his squad.
In fact, Walker-Peters is on the standby list for England as former team-mate Livramento and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold were the two right-backs selected.
- READ MORE: Rising star who Southampton signed alongside Tino Livramento now makes bizarre move after exit
With Kieran Trippier retiring from international football and Kyle Walker not fancied by Carsley, the door looks to be open for Walker-Peters if can continue to impress for Southampton despite the club’s poor start to the season.
Francis Benali ‘delighted’ for Southampton’s Waker-Peters
One player that knows a thing or two about playing full-back for Southampton is Francis Benali.
- READ MORE: Francis Benali tells Russell Martin what he must do to improve Southampton after ‘frustrating’ start
The player-turned-pundit did so a remarkable 348 times across a 15-year career and he has talked up the importance of Walker-Peters and how his decision to stay has been vindicated by being back in the international picture.
Benali wrote in his Daily Echo column: “Kyle Walker-Peters is a name on Carsley’s mind having been included on the standby list for this month’s camp.
“Although not a full call-up, I’m delighted that Kyle is still being recognised on the international stage. He can continue playing with the knowledge he is close to the squad.
“He stuck with us last season and played in the Championship when he could have easily departed to remain in the Premier League.
“It’s brilliant to see that his decision to do that has been vindicated. Keeping him this summer is also a great achievement for the club.
“While I’m sure they’ll be keen to tie him down to a longer contract with his current deal set to expire next summer, Kyle can play an important role this season.
“He brings a consistent level of class on the field and is versatile enough to play multiple roles – something which could play into his hands with England as well.”
Martin will hope Walker-Peters can continue to demonstrate his high performance levels, with Southampton welcoming Manchester United to St Mary’s next Saturday.