Opinion: Five young Spurs starlets who could break through this season

The recent games for Tottenham have left a lot to desire for, leaving many of us to look wishing towards a brighter future, due to the now being so bleak.

Therefore, I am here to provide that insight, with a possible peak behind the curtain into Tottenham’s exciting youth prospects, and which ones could be walking out to the roar of the Tottenham fans in the near future.

Firstly, however, it is imperative that we lay out the basis for this ranking, players such as Tanganga, Skipp and Gil would be classified as already ‘broken through’ players, due to their regular involvement in the first team.

This article will focus more on the players under 20 years of age, and the players who haven’t quite burst onto the scene just yet. Therefore, here is the top five Tottenham youngsters I am tipping to make their breakthrough in the coming seasons.

5 – Nile John

The 18-year-old Englishman has recently become known to the Tottenham fans after his late cameo against Wolfsberger back in February the 24th 2021.

He was introduced onto the pitch alongside fellow youngster, Dane Scarlett, and was impressive in moments. A performance, alongside his impressive under-23’s matches, that earned him more chances in the first team.

The reason why John has been placed in this ranking is due to his versatility, he has played all over the pitch, with him even playing striker in a recent PL2 game against Blackburn, John scored in the 3-3 draw.

This versatility could make him more of a viable option to be called upon in the first team as the number of fit players could be short as the season drags on.

4 – Maksim Paskotsi

Paskotsi is an eighteen-year-old Estonian international centre back and the fact that he is a capped international at such a young age is what has allowed Paskotsi to create a name for himself amongst the people around the club.

The defender was plucked from Estonian side – Flora Tallinn, back in September 2020, and put straight into Tottenham’s under 18 side until he was promoted up to the under 23’s in April of the following year.

Paskotsi made his competitive debut against Pacos De Ferreira in the Conference League qualification rounds, but he has also made three other appearances for the first team throughout the 2021/22 pre-season.

The Estonian isn’t the most complete player yet, however, his experiences at such a young age, such as playing at an international level, make him an appealing player to managers and fans who will definitely have to keep an eye on him.

3 – J’Neil Bennett

Bennett had shone in the Tottenham youth teams for years until this season, however, he had lacked a real run in the first team and had only been called upon in pre-seasons or short presences off the bench.

The chance for first-team football did arrive this summer, not for Tottenham but in the form of a loan to League One side, Crewe Alexandre.

The young winger has impressed so far on his season-long loan and the experience of regular first-team football should do Bennett the world of good.

J’Neil has instantly risen to the challenge by netting once in his first three games for Crewe and being an outstanding performer for the League One side.

When Bennett returns from this loan next season, he could possibly be on the fringes of the first team, should he carry on the form he’s had so far this season.

As football fans we all love a tricky winger, therefore it will be no surprise that Spurs will be wanting to track Bennett’s progress closely.

2 – Alfie Devine

Alfie Devine was purchased from Wigan Athletic’s youth system in the summer of 2020, a rumoured fee of around £500,000 for a youth player was something that certainly alerted the Spurs fans of his talent immediately.

The expectations and hopes of the fans were soon met after Alfie was filmed in a tussle with Chelsea’s Danny Drinkwater in an under 23’s match. This fight and passion for a derby match was what made Devine instantly popular with the fans.

Devine truly made a statement via his goal in a victory against Marine in the FA Cup.

His willingness to chase the loose balls when out of possession and his clear eye for a finish is what makes him such an exciting young prospect for Tottenham and certainly a talent that could break onto the scene soon considering our midfield troubles.

1 – Dane Scarlett

Who else? The 17-year-old striker has been racking up the numbers in the youth divisions for Spurs and such returns had instantly put people, including Mourinho, on alert.

Jose was the manager to hand the young Englishman experience by placing him within first-team set-up and handing him a professional debut against Ludogrets.

The Portuguese manager, who isn’t exactly known for his youth development, even came out and stated: ‘it is probably too early for the next World Cup, but Tottenham Hotspur have a striker in Dane Scarlett, who, if everything goes well, is going to be phenomenal’, even after the new Roma boss had left the Tottenham job.

Dane has been drip-fed some runouts in the first team, notably in pre-season where he scored an impressive finish against Leyton Orient.

With his bags of goals behind him at such a young level and such high praise already, we can only hope that everything stays on track and goes to plan for Dane Scarlett as people are even suggesting he could be Tottenham’s heir to Harry Kane.

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