Tottenham’s new boss has a reputation for working with young, experienced players and he will find more at the north London club.
Roberto De Zerbi has announced that whatever happens in the next seven games he will be Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach next season and that means opportunities for the club’s younger players.
Every time a new manager is appointed it means that new eyes are on the young players who will be training with the first team. Almost every season without fail a freshman or newcomer gets a chance as the new manager wants to show that they are giving young people a chance.
Despite all their injuries to top players this season, Tottenham have conceded the fifth fewest minutes to Premier League academy players with just 26. The next team above them is Everton who have completed 499, while Chelsea and Manchester City have given 5,673 and 5,162 minutes to academy players respectively, beating any legend at the big clubs.
Spurs have provided four Premier League graduates this season, one of the better numbers in the competition, but it has been a few minutes.
De Zerbi’s north London side have a manager who won’t be afraid to throw in young players if he believes they are good enough and will be there next season regardless of the league they play in.
“I have signed a five-year contract because for me it is a big challenge and I will be the coach of Tottenham next year, regardless,” said the Italian.
So which young players could thrive under De Zerbi next season, regardless of where Tottenham find themselves? We are holding on to youngsters here and leaving out first team players like Souza. The age limit means we will only be talking about old school products such as Alfie Devine, Will Lankshear and Jamie Donley who could still catch the eye in pre-season after their loan spells in the Championship.
Here are the young players who could get their chance in the next 12 months at Spurs.
Luka Vuskovic
Everyone is talking about Luka Vuskovic across Europe and the midfielder has been linked with the biggest clubs in the world after Hamburg’s impressive season in the Bundesliga.
It’s crazy to think that Spurs have signed the 19-year-old as far back as 2023 but the Croatia international is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.
Vuskovic has a contract until 2030 and Tottenham would be absolutely foolish to sell him this summer despite the interest. He has a lot of talent and while his acceleration needs work – which he is fixing with a good coach – the number of stars like Luka Modric who have said how good he will be only shows that Spurs have to make him the cornerstone of their defense for the long term future.
His ability on the ball and his ability to score goals at the other end of the pitch should quickly impress De Zerbi.
If the worst were to happen and Tottenham were to be relegated, perhaps it would be better to give the youngster another loan season either in Hamburg to play with his brother Mario or somewhere else to continue his higher education.
Mike Moore
Another player who has had a successful loan spell away from the chaos at Tottenham is Mikey Moore. The 18-year-old overcame a difficult start to life at Rangers and has adapted to become a fan favorite amidst the pressure and attention of playing for one of Glasgow’s biggest clubs.
Some Tottenham supporters wanted him to be recalled in the winter window, but he could have had a better season of development in his career with the ups and downs at Ibrox as well as European football.
He has made 21 appearances for Spurs despite his age, scoring once with two assists, and that was before this great season for Scotland.
Moore has all the tools in his locker to be a star under De Zerbi as he can play as a winger or number 10 in the Italian system and on the other side and this will be a big pre-season for him.
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Luca Williams-Barnett
One to watch right now at school, but 17-year-old Williams-Barnett has been sidelined in recent weeks due to injury when he would have had limited minutes.
A versatile attacking player who can play anywhere up front and has excellent dribbling skills, a creative eye for passing and finishing ability. He made his Spurs debut in the Carabao Cup this season against Doncaster Rovers with a bit of a brilliant drought and has scored 16 goals and eight assists in 19 games for the academy around that, mainly as a forward for the U21s.
He is expected to return to full training next week and De Zerbi, a former number 10 himself, will look to the channel ahead of the summer as Williams-Barnett continues to work hard, possibly leaving for the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia. Those trips are important for new coaches to look for the next stars in terms of productivity within the team.
Jun’ai Byfield
One who has missed out on appearances in recent weeks due to injury but this has been a huge breakthrough season for 17-year-old midfielder Jun’ai Byfield.
The England U18 international made two Champions League appearances, the first on the half hour against Dortmund, and was handed his Premier League debut in the dying minutes of the game against Manchester City in February. Byfield has been impressed with his development in both games and many within the club believe he will get more chances to catch the eye in a Spurs shirt.
He is gradually increasing his training load after his absence with the hope of returning to full training next week.
Calum’s sister
Olusesi, who turned 19 last month, has enjoyed a big March as he made his Premier League debut with 20 minutes or more at Anfield to help Spurs draw with Liverpool. Then a few days later it was followed by his first appearance in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid in 15 minutes from the bench.
The youngster took full advantage of the absence of midfielders to make his mark. The return of a number of senior players means he may not get many opportunities this season, but he has the chance to put in his bid this summer if he is not sent out on loan, which, like Moore, could be equally beneficial to his career.
Mason Melia
A player that Spurs fans are yet to see as the club fended off competition from the Premier League and European clubs to agree an initial £1.6million deal with St Patrick’s Athletic for the striker in February last year.
Melia, who put pen to paper last year with a long-term contract until 2031, was not allowed by EU law to move to a Premier League club until he turned 18, meaning he had to wait until January this year to complete the transfer. On top of that, the young man arrived with a wound on his back and when he went back he got a chest infection which delayed his efforts to go to work.
The youngster is now back in full training and with 98 caps for St Pat’s and a strong physique, he is expected to catch the eye of the first team staff.
Tynan Thompson
One who has battled injuries in recent weeks, but 17-year-old left winger Tynan Thompson is a true saint. Spurs are hoping to tie up his long-term future at the club but will equally be looking to secure future opportunities.
The flying striker has been on the bench twice in the Champions League and once in the Carabao Cup and has made significant progress at youth level with his performances in the UEFA Youth League highlighted by seven goals and two assists from seven games for Tottenham in Europe.
Spurs are always looking for left-backs and they have a talented one coming in Thompson. Both he and Moore could be the future of the team down there if both continue on their current trajectory.
Others could shine
Each young player develops at different stages so many other youngsters in the squad could catch De Zerbi’s eye either in the coming months or in the summer during pre-season if they get an invitation to first team training.
Striker James Wilson arrived from Hearts in the winter window and is already contributing to the club’s first team. Tye Hall has had a big time on the pitch as U18 captain and received a call-up to join England’s senior coaching staff at Wembley last week.
Defender James Rowswell made his Tottenham debut in the final minutes of the draw at Anfield and dealt with Liverpool’s last-gasp attack. Talented England U19 international Malakia Hardy is also continuing his development as a centre-back within the squad.
Some will step up from the club’s U18s next season looking to impress at U21 level and De Zerbi and his staff will be keeping an eye on them all.
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