ALL it took was a simple phone call from Ralph Hasenhuttl.

But knowing how detailed the Saints manager is, simple wasn’t quite going to cut it from his end of the line.

Kyle Walker-Peters was left facing a choice of either moving down south to St Mary’s or staying in London with Crystal Palace.

Explaining to the Daily Echo why it proved to be a simple decision in the end, the right-back said: “[It was] The style of play and the manager.

“I spoke to him before I came, and he almost knew me better than I knew me which shows his interest in me.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl

“For him to take the time to call me was enough for me. I didn’t know he was picky so that makes me even happier.

“He knows what I’m good at and what type of player I am. I think his style compliments me.”

Although Hasenhuttl laid the foundations to help Saints seal a deal for the Tottenham youngster, there was still one other person Walker-Peters wanted to speak to about the move.

Having been at Spurs since the age of 10 leaving his boyhood side was never going to be easy – even if he is due to return at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old spoke to one of his closest friends, who also happened to be a teammate of his at Tottenham.

Dele Alli, along with his brother Harry Hickford, advised Walker-Peters that a temporary move to Saints was going to get his career back on track after he struggled to get into a Tottenham team led by Jose Mourinho.

“He always gives me advice, along with his brother,” added the defender. “He made it clear to me that the most important thing for someone my age was to be playing games.

“I agree with him.

Tottenham's Dele Alli

“Playing games and showcasing my talent is something I need to do, so to hear it from someone like him made my decision easier.”

Although he’s been separated from Alli, the two still speak to each other every day.

Because Walker-Peters has been holed up in a hotel since his January arrival, there isn’t an awful lot going on.

But he brought his PlayStation 4 down with him so that he can help pass time playing games online with Alli.

“I play with Dele a lot – he is a really close mate of mine,” revealed Walker-Peters.

“If I’m in London then I’m with Dele. It helps pass time, especially when you are in a hotel and you are just sat there bored.”

Coming into the Saints dressing room after 12 years at Spurs was always going to be a nervy time for the defender.

The 22-year-old had become so accustomed to the people and players working for the White Hart Lane side.

But one Saints youngster, Michael Obafemi, immediately struck up a friendship with Walker-Peters and played an important role in helping him settle in.

Obafemi’s larger than life character is infectious, with his enthusiasm to make people laugh never waning.

“He’s a funny guy,” continued Walker-Peters.

“He reminds me of one of my friends from back home, so he is really easy to get on with.

Michael Obafemi

“He is always messaging me asking if I want to get something to eat and stuff like that which always helps.

“When you have someone that is a similar age it does help.

“I like to have a laugh, but I was reserved in the first few days, although now I feel like I’ve known the boys for years.

“It’s easy for me to talk to anyone.”

One man who played a huge role in Walker-Peters’ development also made a similar impact during his time at St Mary’s.

Former Saints and Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino handed the 22-year-old the chance to become a regular fixture in his side.

But when the Argentinian’s spell started to unravel during the first half of the season Walker-Peters was left out in the cold.

Jose Mourinho was hired by Daniel Levy to take Tottenham to the next level by adding the first trophy to their cabinet since the League Cup in 2008.

“I think Poch was a big part in helping me get my opportunity at Tottenham,” Walker-Peters reflected. “It’s always sad to see someone like that go and, maybe, had he still been at Tottenham then I’d have had more opportunities to play.

Mauricio Pochettino and a young Walker-Peters

“But I’m over that now. I’m here. And I’m enjoying myself a lot.

“I’m hoping to play as much as possible and fight for my spot in the team.”

Hasenhuttl adopts a similar style of play to Pochettino, led from the front by a high press.

Because of his familiarity playing in this kind of system, it was one of the other reasons why Walker-Peters opted for a move to St Mary’s as opposed to staying in London with Crystal Palace.

“It’s made it a lot easier.

“That style of play suits me and Ralph is really similar to Pochettino in terms of wanting high intensity and high pressing.

“This benefits me because it’s my style.”

Walker-Peters admits he’s still getting an understanding of how Hasenhuttl operates.

But there was something he realised straightaway which had perhaps gone missing at Tottenham since Mourinho’s arrival.

Pochettino would never come out and publicly criticise his players after a defeat or a costly mistake.

Walker-Peters during his Saints debut against Burnley

Instead, he’d leave those conversations for behind closed doors and Walker-Peters believes Saints’ boss is the same.

“I like to have a manager that I know has got my back.

“I get that feeling with Ralph and I had that feeling with Poch where nobody is ever to blame for a goal.

“He was that sort of manager who was always backing his players in the press and I think that’s always important for a player.

“You want to feel that your manager has your back.”

Throughout January Hasenhuttl made it clear that he’d only want to bring a player in on loan if it included an option to buy at the end it the deal.

Saints don’t have that option with Walker-Peters.

But, in football, it’s no secret that every player has a price, so should the right back impress over these coming months then the St Mary’s side could pursue a permanent deal during the summer.

Although that would most likely involve drawn-out negotiations with Spurs chairman Levy who squeezes every penny out of the buying club.

Asked whether it’s strange that he’ll come to Saints for a few months and then just return without Saints having an official option to buy him, Walker-Peters said: “I don’t think it’s weird.

Daniel Levy

“Even if there isn’t an option if the club really want me, then they will go out and speak to Tottenham to try and get me.

“We will see what happens at the end of the season.

“I am really enjoying it at the moment and I feel like I’m improving and developing.

“It wouldn’t be a bad place to be, but we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”

Having been sidelined for the away trip to Liverpool and unable to play against Spurs the 22-year-old didn’t make his Saints debut until the 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

He lasted just under 75 minutes before Hasenhuttl replaced him and he hasn’t been seen in the Austrian’s starting XI since.

For fans that don’t know what the best Walker-Peters looks like, the defender put it like this: “What the manager wants is the best Kyle Walker-Peters.

“I like high intensity, to run in behind and to get assists.

“I love defending one-v-one and I think every defender takes pride in getting clean sheets, so that’s what I hope to give to the team.

“It’s not always easy but winning games and giving it my all.”

One of the reasons he hasn’t regularly featured is because Hasenhuttl has decided to play central midfielder James Ward-Prowse on the right side of defence.

This worked against Aston Villa but fell apart away to West Ham, where both Walker-Peters and Yan Valery were sat on the bench.

When questioned whether he was surprised to be competing against the academy lad for a place in the team, despite signing on loan to play more often, Walker-Peters said: “[Laughs] I don’t see it like that at all.

“If the manager thinks Prowsey is better than me at right back for one game then so be it.

“I support Prowsey and I’m sure he has my back as well.”