It can often be a tough route from a PremierLeague academy into the starting line up, especially for those at a big six club, when the emphasis is often on big-money signings.
However, Tottenham have welcomed a number of youth recruits into the first XI through recent years, including Harry Kane, Harry Winks, and most recently, Kyle Walker-Peters.
With Kieran Trippier sold, Aurier yet to feature this summer, and Juan Foyth injured, the 22-year-old right-back was essentially handed a free game against Aston Villa.
However, the academy graduate has earned his starts, make no mistake about that. Walker-Peters has been on the fringes of the first team for a couple of years now, even starting away to Barca at the Camp Nou last season.
After Spurs went 1-0 down to Villa and looked as if they would lose the game, only for Ndombele and Harry Kane to rescue the day, Walker-Peters was left emotional.
He told the Tottenham website: “I was just thinking about how much I love Harry (Kane)!
“Honestly, I could have cried on the pitch. It was that sort of emotion as the goal went in.
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“When that goal goes in, you just think about everything you have been through to get here; everything I have been through on my journey to getting into the first-team and finally getting more and more opportunities as the gaffer is showing that trust in me.
“And, growing up in Tottenham, I just love the Club, so those moments mean just that little bit extra. You can’t control these emotions, it just happens. Everything just builds up in you, especially in that game.
“In terms of my career, that match was very important to me. I have to prove to the staff here and prove to the fans that I am ready to play in important games, help the team and hopefully be a part of a successful season.”
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