Tottenham fullback Kyle Walker admits he studies the game of Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm.

Walker is a huge fan and, in his seventh year as a professional, is developing a greater appreciation of the defender's more prosaic tasks.

"When I was growing up it was just about attacking," he told the London Evening Standard. "Get forward, Kyle, get the ball in the box and set up goals. Now I'm 24, I'm a bit more experienced and it's not all about getting forward.

"Your main job as a right-back is to defend. Getting forward is a bonus. The modern-day full-back has to cover as much ground as possible, so you need to choose your runs and that's what I like about Lahm.

"I saw a lot of Lahm in the World Cup and I felt he was fantastic, leading by example and showing what he was about. Another right-back I admire is Pablo Zabaleta [of Manchester City]."