Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles this season have been well-documented. But former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe believes the club’s future could be bright, singling out two young forwards he coached in the Spurs academy who he feels can help turn things around.
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been nothing short of disappointing. After finishing fifth last campaign, they now find themselves stuck in mid-table.
Performances have been inconsistent, results have been frustrating, and the gap between them and the Premier League’s top clubs has widened.
Injuries have played a significant role in their struggles, with key players missing at crucial moments. But beyond that, issues at the top have also contributed to the decline.
A lack of investment in the squad and questionable decisions from those running the club have left Spurs in a difficult position, unable to build on past progress.
Despite the setbacks, there have been some positives. Young players have provided glimpses of hope, with Archie Gray winning Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards and Lucas Bergvall scoring the winner in Tottenham’s first-leg Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool.
Now, Defoe has highlighted two more academy products who he believes can lead the charge for Tottenham’s resurgence.
Jermain Defoe backs Mikey Moore to shine at Tottenham Hotspur
Among the emerging talents at Spurs, Defoe has picked out Moore as a player with the potential to become a star under Ange Postecoglou.
Having spent two years coaching in Tottenham’s academy, the former England striker has seen firsthand what the teenager is capable of.
He told Footy Accumulators in an interview courtesy of bet365’s new Sub On Play On product: “Mikey Moore is an amazing young talent, when I came into the academy, they told me there was this young player I needed to see because he was the next big thing. As soon as I watched him, I could see he had something special.
“I still speak to Mikey now, and he is someone who wants to improve. He is a great kid. I was buzzing when I saw him come on in Europe and get his first goal, and when he gave me a little mention after, that was brilliant.
“He deserves the opportunities he is getting, but we have to remember he is still very young—only 17. There is so much room for improvement, and I do not think anyone has seen the best of Mikey yet.
“Once he plays regularly and regains that confidence and arrogance he had in the youth team, people will see just how good he is.
“My advice to him would be to keep working hard, improving every day, and focusing on those final third actions—whether it is a pass or a shot.
“He needs to make sure he is learning from the senior players and those he plays against because he has a massive future ahead.”
The next Harry Kane? Defoe on Will Lankshear
Defoe also tipped young striker Lankshear to make a big impact at Tottenham, going as far as to suggest he could be the club’s next Harry Kane.
“Will Lankshear is good too,” Defoe said. “He is a throwback number nine, a proper centre forward. He puts himself about, he has scored so many goals for the under-21s, and he is the type of striker who celebrates goals in training.
“He has a great appetite for goals, and he is hungry to keep scoring. I would like to think that after his loan spell, he will break into the first team and go on to score goals for many years at Tottenham.”