Former Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah has admitted that a lack of focus prevented him from making it at Tottenham.
Onomah rose through the ranks at Tottenham’s youth academy before going on to make several appearances for the first team under former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The 22-year-old was quite highly rated at Spurs but unfortunately failed to make the grade at the club. He moved to Fulham last summer as part of the deal that saw Ryan Sessegnon join the Lilywhites.
Onomah has revealed that he still has a lot of affection for Tottenham despite having to move away from the club in search of first-team football.
In an interview with the Independent, Onomah said, “I was there since I was eight years old.
“Tottenham was my life, my future, and I developed a love for them that will always be in my heart. But that’s football for you. Not everything goes to plan.
“In life, you take a few steps back just to come forward. You have to come out of the bubble and I’ve needed that in my career. Sometimes that’s what being a man is, deciding the right thing for you, [even if it’s] to leave your home.”
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The youngster made a slow start at promotion-chasing Fulham but has now become a mainstay in their midfield since December.
He admitted that a lack of focus probably cost him from making it at Spurs but insisted that he had no regrets about his time in North London.
He added, “I wouldn’t say I took it for granted but I wasn’t 100 per cent focused on football growing up, around the age of 18-20.
“[It wasn’t until I got injured] that I realised how important it is in my life. I don’t think it’s healthy to live with regret [about it]. You have to learn from your mistakes. That’s what helped shape me as a player and a person.
“Mauricio Pochettino had a big influence on me. He always pushed me, he gave me the advice I needed to make it at Tottenham, and he gave me my debut which I’ll forever be thankful for.
“That was always my dream. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out and I felt like I needed games to show what I’m good at and grow as a player.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I always believed that Onomah had the talent to become a regular part of the first team at Spurs and I was quite disappointed when we decided to sell him in the summer. His story is yet another example of how hard work and having the right attitude often trumps talent for younger players.
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