With one of their own, Harry Kane, recently breaking the club's all-time goalscoring record, which young talents in Spurs' ranks will be stepping up next?
Oliver Skipp's outstanding performance against Chelsea earlier in the season inspired many young Spurs fans, giving them the dream of playing for their favourite team.
Throughout the years many youth players have come and gone from North London, from Filip Lesniak to Harry Kane, the academy has produced varied career paths.
There has often been a tendency to recruit youngsters from other teams, which can prove a worthy investment, Dele Alli's transfer being a prime example.
We thought we'd take a look at the prospects currently in Tottenham's ranks who are most likely to become key players in the coming years, or are an important part of the squad already.
1. Oliver Skipp
A Norwich fan I spoke to recently said that if they could sign anyone in the world, it would be Oliver Skipp, as he is exactly what they are in need of right now and undeniably miss his stability .
Having impressed on loan with the Canaries in the Championship, Antonio Conte decided Oliver Skipp should be part of his plans. A decision that has been proven correct ever since.
With an injury crisis in the midfield, Spurs have been forced to trust the youth. As one of their own, the 22 year-old has stepped up to the plate in back to back London derbies, and consistently performed well for his boyhood club.
He is not only a hard working midfielder, with a crushing tackle, but Skipp can read the game intelligently and can set the tempo of the game with his distribution.
2. Pape Matar Sarr
Currently in close competition with Oliver Skipp is Pape Matar Sarr, one of the most exciting young African players in the world, proved by his CAF Young Player of the Year award last year.
With just eight appearances for Tottenham, he is yet to break into the first team. This, however, hasn't knocked his ambition.
In a recent interview, the Senegalese midfielder, who is likened by some fans to current Spurs Coach Yaya Toure, felt he could achieve everything in his career even the highest accolade an individual player can receive, the Ballon D'or.
At only 20 years old, he is certainly one to look out for in the future and could become a mainstay in the Spurs starting eleven.
3. Dane Scarlett
"I know he’s still very young, ... but Tottenham Hotspur have a striker in Dane Scarlett, who, if everything goes well, is going to be phenomenal. For England, there is lots of promise."
These were the words of Jose Mourihno in 2021, who is one of several managers to acknowledge the incredible potential of Dane Scarlett.
The 18 year-old is now on loan at Portsmouth and has scored 4 goals in League One this season.
Loaning out a promising striker to lower league clubs in England has worked previously for the Lilywhites, it will be interesting to see if Scarlett reaches his full capacity in North London.
4. Alfie Devine
Since becoming Tottenham's youngest ever player and goalscorer in an FA Cup tie against Marine, Alfie Devine has been getting regular minutes in the youth setup.
His development has continued to grow, with a recent interview from Cristian Stellini confirming this:
"He has the quality and the power in his mind. Mentally he's a good player and he trains every day, and he trains completely at our level."
The 18 year-old attacking midfielder scored 3 goals in 4 games in the UEFA Youth League this season, and continues to build confidence in the hope he can one day break into the starting line-up.
5. Destiny Udogie
Despite not yet settling into life in North London, 20 year-old Destiny Udogie could become a key player for Spurs next season with his impressive attacking ability.
A player who enjoys a tackle, but simultaneously will bomb down the wing and create chances for his side; he could be what Tottenham need going forward.
With 3 goals and 3 assists this season for Udinese, he could be seen as the natural successor for Ivan Perišić as the Croatian approaches the final stage of his career.
Having second highest goal contributions for a wing-back in Serie A last season, only behind the Croatian, Udogie could find himself playing regularly as soon as next season.
Comments