Playing with intensity, giving his all and sharing West Ham United’s ambition to win trophies and be part of something special under Head Coach Graham Potter – that is what Kyle Walker-Peters believes being a Hammer is all about.
Speaking to lifelong fan and YouTuber Behzinga in his first interview with West Ham TV, the versatile, attack-minded, totally committed full-back revealed his excitement at joining the Club following his departure from Southampton.
A two-cap England international with nearly 150 Premier League appearances to his name, the 27-year-old believes he will fit right in in Claret and Blue.
And Walker-Peters revealed this was an arrival in east London that was long in the making, not least because his former Southampton captain, teammate and friend James Ward-Prowse has been pushing him to join him here for the past two years!
Welcome to West Ham United, Kyle Walker-Peters! How does it feel to be a Hammer?
“I’m very excited. I feel like it’s been a long time coming. It’s been a few years where I’ve been linked to the Club and then spoken to the Club, so yeah, I’m excited to be here now.”
There was plenty of interest in you this summer, so why did you choose to join us?
“I spoke to [Head Coach] Graham [Potter]. He was a big, big part of me making the decision. I’ve always liked his style as a coach and I think it’s going to suit me best. He spoke about trying to make the Club like, a real family feel and that’s what I’m all about and I’d like to think I’m a good fit.”
You played alongside and were captained by James Ward-Prowse at Southampton, so what has he told you about the Club?
“Everything! Since he’s been there, like I said, I’ve been linked a few times and he’s been trying to make it happen and the last few days he’s been speaking to me and telling me that I’ll really enjoy it. So again, I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited and I think I’ll settle in really quickly.”
What about your own qualities as a player?
“As a player, I really enjoy having the ball and really enjoy trying to make things happen and having that little bit of individual quality. I like to be intense. I like it when the game’s intense and I think that’s when this team is at its best – intense, counter-attacking going forward and intense in the defending and that’s what I think I can bring.”
Who were your footballing idols growing up?
“I think your typical ones like Ronaldinho. Like I said, I like to bring a bit of individual quality and, despite being a defender, I think I can also create things going forward.”
Who are you most looking forward to bantering with in the dressing room and being around?
“I’m excited to be around Prowsey again. A lot of people probably don’t know that he’s hilarious. I’m looking forward to sharing the dressing room with him again, but I’m sure I’ll get on with everyone.”
You’ve got extensive Premier League experience, so what role do you think you can play as an example to our younger players?
“I think, at my last club, it was something that I was trying to improve on, trying to become more of a leader. We had quite a young group, so I’m really used to giving advice now and being that senior player. I think throughout my career, I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve had tough times as people saw last season [when Southampton were relegated], so I think bringing that to help the younger players and even the senior players in the group is a good quality to have.”
How have you found coming up against West Ham for your former clubs, Tottenham and Southampton?
“I’ve always found it quite tough. I actually played against West Ham here in a cup game for Tottenham [in October 2018, when Spurs won a fourth-round tie 3-1 at London Stadium] and being up against Michail Antonio as a young boy, that wasn’t easy as he’s very strong and very quick, but I learned a lot.
“Last season, I think we had a decent game against you guys [for Southampton] and I created something at the end [when Lesley Ugochukwu equalised from my deflected cross]. We ended up getting a draw but it’s always tough to play against West Ham.
“I look forward to being a Hammer now!”
How does it feel to be back home in London?
“I’m really excited. I’ve been away for five-and-a-half years now and it’s nice to be close to home and be close to family and they can come to more of my games.”
What’s the most important thing to you about representing West Ham United?
“Intensity and giving my all in every game. I saw we won the Conference League a couple of seasons ago which every team wants to do, winning trophies, and I think West Ham have that ambition. Speaking to Graham, that’s what he wants to do. He wants to create something special, so hopefully I can be a part of that.”
