Raised during the Gerry Francis era, these lads are now too old for any more 'character building'. Spurs blog with emphasis on the stars of tomorrow, today #COYS
Matthew and Michael Craig made history last night as they became the first identical twins to appear in a first team matchday squad for Spurs.
They were both named on the bench for Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Paços de Ferreira in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off, first leg.
Born in Barnet two minutes apart, the 18 year olds have enjoyed decent game time at Under-18 level over the past couple of seasons and have now made the step up to the Under-23s. Both play in the centre of midfield although Matthew, the younger of the two, has filled in a centre back on occasion.
They have both been given squad numbers for the first time, with Matthew receiving the No. 51 and Michael wearing No. 52.
Both players are Scotland youth internationals, qualifying through both of their grandfathers (including former Notts County striker, Ron Still – their father also played non-league football).
Things could have been very different, however, with the siblings playing across the North London divide at Under-12 level – while Matthew played for Spurs, Michael played for Arsenal. Michael joined his brother in lilywhite a year later and they haven’t been apart since.
Although they didn’t get on the pitch last night, their involvement in the match day squad suggests that both are held in high regard by the Spurs management. They could yet follow in the footsteps of fellow youth prospects Dane Scarlett, Alfie Devine and Nile John who have all made their first team debuts over the past year.
Lilywhite Rose can exclusively reveal next year’s Academy intake in full. 15 players will be making the step up to the U18s, with a number of talented England youth internationals hoping to follow in the footsteps of Alfie Devine, Nile John and Dane Scarlett by making their first team debuts.
A left back, Andiyapan is a Welsh youth international and was recently called up by the U16s for games against England and Northern Ireland. He was formerly with Arsenal, but made the switch to Hotspur Way a number of years ago.
Pele Arganese-McDermott signing for Spurs
Pele Arganese-McDermott
Spurs beat off interest from Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Arganese-McDermott from Luton. He is a natural centre-back, but can slot in elsewhere if required.
Tom Bloxham
Bloxham is an England youth international who plays an attacking midfielder. He really made people sit up and take notice with this worldie earlier this year:
Bryan-Waugh is a centre-back and an England youth international. He is rapid too, winning the Essex Schools Junior Boys 200m in 2019.
Jamie Donley
Jamie Donley in full flight
You wait for years for Harry Kane’s potential successor then three come along at once. Troy Parrott and Dane Scarlett have been making waves, but Jamie Donley has the talent to match.
Prolific at U16 level, the England youth international made the step up to the U18s in Scarlett’s place, scoring on his debut aged just 15. He finished 2020/21 with 5 goals in 13 games and will lead the line next season. He features in our ‘Dream Team – 2030/31‘.
Alfie Dorrington making a tackle (#5)
Alfie Dorrington
A commanding centre back, Alfie Dorrington has a very bright future ahead of him. Dorrington is an England youth international (and former England U15s captain) and was recently called up to the England U17s training camp.
Despite there being a host of promising young goalkeepers at Hotspur Way, it is thought that Luca Gunter might be the pick of the lot. The England youth international is very highly thought of and signed a three year scholarship with Spurs last season aged just 15.
Billy Heaps
Another England youth international in this year’s intake. A midfielder, Heaps moved to Hotspur Way from Stevenage in 2019.
Rio Kyerematen
Kyerematen made his debut for the U18s in April despite being just 15 years old. The promising midfielder has also been called up by England at youth level.
Jahziah Linton
Despite previously starting out as a forward, Linton has recently been switched to left-back and is expected he will challenge William Andiyapan for a starting spot next season.
Max McKnight
McKnight is predominantly a right-back – he is physically strong and unafraid to get forward and see alot of the ball. Here is his personal highlights reel from a match against Saturn in 2019:
Axel Piesold
A diminutive central midfielder who is technically good, distributing the ball calmly and dictating the tempo of the game. A personal highlight reel from the 2019 game against Saturn here:
A speedy winger, Williams faces less competition for places than others in this intake and will be hopeful of decent game time next season to showcase his talents.
Other Spurs U16s Hakeem Sandah and Shannon Brown have joined Huddersfield and QPR, respectively, while Jediah Bombo has been released. We wish them all the best in their future careers.
Nile John has been named as Spurs’ Scholar of the Year.
The 18-year-old midfielder has made huge strides this season, with John’s senior debut coming on as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Wolfsberger in the Europa League. He was also an unused substitute in the last game of the season against Leicester City.
While John started the season with the Under-18s, he was turning out regularly for the Under-23s by January. In all, he made 16 appearances for the Under-18s, including in the FA Youth Cup, in addition to his 10 games in the Premier League 2.
Alongside fellow Hotspur Way prospects Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett, John was recently named in England’s Under-19 squad. He has now been called up to Young Lions squads at every level from Under-15s through to the Under-19s.
John joined Tottenham Hotspur at the age of seven and looks set to have a very promising future. He is skilful with the ball, quick and has a huge work rate. Despite standing a just 5ft 8 in, he doesn’t shy away from a challenge and is deceptively strong. If he can add more goals to his game, he will be pressing his claims for a regular spot with the first team in the not too distant future.
A full season with the Under-23s may await, but given how quickly John is developing, the club may feel he is ready for first team football and find him a loan move. Either way, we look forward to seeing more of Nile John’s obivous talent over the coming months.
At the weekend Dane Scarlett, Alfie Devine and Roshaun Mathurin helped Spurs’ Under 18s to a 6-1 victory over Chelsea. There are high hopes for this generation of talent now coming through.
Half a decade ago there were some promising prospects coming through too, including one who was drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. We take a look at where they all are now:
Goalkeeper
Tom Glover
Australian born Glover, like many Academy keepers that come through the ranks at Spurs, impressed for both the Under 18s and 21s and was subsequently rewarded by appearances in the first team’s match day squads.
A mainstay at youth level for Tottenham, Glover showed all the signs of being able to make the step up to the staring XI, however, this promise did not come to fruition. Glover was loaned out to Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners in 2017, Swedish side Helsingborg in 2019, and finally signed permanently for Melbourne City, where he is currently their number one. He is an Australian youth international, but has yet to make his debut for the senior side.
Defenders
Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters signed for Tottenham in 2013, and was one of the academy’s most consistent performers as a pacy and dependable right back. His performances at all academy levels warranted a call up to the senior squad for the tour of Malaysia and Australia in 2015, where he made his first team debut.
Irregular first team appearances were hindered by Serge Aurier and Kieran Tripper being above him in Pochettino’s pecking order, but Walker-Peters still impressed when called upon, and was rewarded with a new and improved five-year contract in 2018.
In a bid for regular first team football, the right back was loaned out to Southampton in January 2020. After impressing on the south coast, KWP signed permanently in the summer of 2020, and continues to shine as the Saints’ first choice right back.
He has appeared for England youth sides up to the Under 21s, and was a starter as England won the Under 20 World Cup in 2017.
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Southend born, American international Cameron Carter-Vickers signed for the club at the age of 11, and made his first team debut in 2016 in the International Champions Cup.
However, the centre back has struggled to find regular first team at the club, and has spent much of his time time out on loan , with six different clubs since 2016.
CCV is currently playing in the Championship, on loan, for promotion candidates Bournemouth. At 23 years old, many believe that this will be Carter-Vickers’ final loan spell, and his decent performances for the Cherries may encourage them to move for him permanently. He has made eight appearances for the USA since his debut in 2017.
Christian Maghoma
Carter-Vickers’ defensive partner, Chris Maghoma, didn’t enjoy the same lengthy spell at Spurs that CCV has, and struggled to make a name for himself at Tottenham.
He signed for the club in 2014, and was loaned out to Yeovil Town the following year in an attempt to gain some first team experience. Unfortunately, Maghoma didn’t make an appearance during the spell and he moved to Polish side Arka Gdynia in 2018. The 23 year old now plays for Gillingham and has made 11 appearances so for this season.
Maghoma appeared for England’s Under 16s, but made his senior international debut for DR Congo in 2017, his first and last cap to date.
Anton Walkes
Lewisham-born Anton Walkes joined the club in 2013, and was a very solid prospect at academy level, but struggled to make the breakthrough to the first team, making only one appearance in the League Cup in 2016.
The full back captained the under 18s at UEFA Youth League level before signing for MLS side Atlanta United on loan in 2017, and then Portsmouth the following season. Walkes was sold to Portsmouth permanently in 2018, but has subsequently returned to Atlanta.
Midfielders
Luke Amos
A talented and versatile midfielder, Luke Amos impressed at academy level consistently and earned loan spells at Southend, Stevenage and QPR respectively.
Amos made his debut for Spurs on the opening day of the 2018/19 season and was on the brink of becomnig a first team regular, but he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, keeping him out of action for the rest of the year.
His loan move to QPR established him as as one of the standout performers in the Championship, appearing 35 times for the West London side in 2019/20. That summer, the midfielder made a permanent switch, but devastatingly for QPR and Amos, he suffered a repeat injury which is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season. A huge talent and hopefully he can pick up where he left off.
Zenon Stylianides
Luke Amos’ regular partner in the centre of the Spurs Under 18s midfield was Zenon Stylianides. Like a number of academy players in this intake, Stylianides wasn’t able to make enough of an impact at youth level to push for the first team. The midfielder was released by Tottenham in 2017, and now plays for East Thurrock in the Isthmian league.
Marcus Edwards
Undoubtedly the most naturally gifted player of this generation, Marcus Edwards signed for the club at the age of eight and was one of the brightest sparks at every age group up to the 23s.
Unfortunately for the talented winger, he was only able to make one competitive appearance for the Lilywhites under Pochettino, despite the current PSG manager describing Edwards as ‘similar to Messi’.
Loan spells to Norwich City and Dutch side Excelsior followed before a permanent move to Vitoria de Guimaraes. There Edwards has rebuilt his career, shining in the Portuguese ‘Liga Nos’ by scoring 10 goals and laying on 12 assists in 48 appearances.
Despite speculation linking him away from the club, Edwards has recently signed a new contract with a €50,000,000 release clause.
Josh Onomah
Another highly tipped player in 2014/15, Josh Onomah made his competitive debut for Spurs the following season by Mauricio Pochettino and went on to make a further 12 appearances for the first team.
Loan spells at Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday ensured regular senior football, earning him a permanent move to Fulham in 2019 as part of the deal that bought Fulham wonderkid, Ryan Sessegnon to Tottenham. Onomah has made 34 appearances for Fulham since his move, and was an integral player in Fulham’s play off win last season, netting in their play-off semi final win against Swansea.
He has appeared for every England youth side up to the Under 21s, and was a starter as England won the Under 20 World Cup in 2017.
Anthony Georgiou
Anthony Georgiou signed for Tottenham in 2013 from Watford as a 16 year old, and was a regular starter at academy level as he worked his way through the ranks.
Georgiou was placed in a similar position as Cameron Carter-Vickers by Mauricio Pochettino, as he featured heavily in pre-season friendly competitions, but wasn’t able to nail down a spot for first team. The Cypriot international spent time on loan at Ipswich and Bolton respectively, before moving to Cypriot side AEL Limassol on a free. He has made eight international appearances for Cyprus since since debut in 2018.
Striker
Shayon Harrison
Tottenham Hotspur U21’s Shayon Harrison
Another player who struggled to make the transition from the youth team to the first team, Shayon Harrison made one appearance for Spurs in the EFL Cup in 2016, before spending three seasons out on loan. However, he only managed to find the net on five occasions during this period, before signing permanently for second division Dutch side, Almere City in 2019.
Harrison now plays in League one with AFC Wimbledon, but has made a single, nine minute substitute appearance for the Dons.
Tottenham Hotspur are seemingly stuck in a rut. A string of uninspiring performances characterised by a lack of expansive attacking play and an assortment of individual defensive mistakes has resulted in a growing sense of hopelessness in Spurs supporters. It seems fanatical to suggest that a manager who has guided his team to the Carabao Cup final, as well as practically having one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League is working in fear of his job. However, there are many calls for Jose Mourinho to be relieved of his duties.
Mourinho must take some credit for his handling of Spurs youngsters. The Special One has handed first-team debuts to Harvey White (19), Dane Scarlett (16) and Alfie Devine (16), as well as sending the likes of Ryan Sessegnon (20) and Troy Parrott (19) out on loan deals to increase their playing times. A player who has thrived from his loan move is Oliver Skipp. After strong pre-season showings for the Lilywhites, Skipp penned a one-year loan deal with relegated Premier League side Norwich City.
The 20-year-old has hit the ground running for the Canaries, racking up 32 appearances in the league so far and establishing himself as a mainstay in the heart of their midfield. Norwich currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Championship table, displaying form that is in no small part down to Skippy’s consistent displays.
These performances have gained plaudits from Norwich fans and the more fervent Spurs fans alike; not to mention Norwich boss Daniel Farke. A recent Football.London report documented the latter’s obvious high regard for the youngster. “He’s a top player and a top character”. Farke went on to emphasise his expectations of Skipp and his desire for him to keep progressing. “This says a lot about how much I rate him and how much I value him, I don’t want to praise him too much in public, it’s more like each and every day I keep on criticising him”. These comments will excite Spurs fans with the prospect of Skipp being driven to reach the heights that he is considered capable of.
Norwich fans have also been waxing lyrical about the England Under 21 international. With their twitter following labelling Skipp as one of the best loan signings the club has ever made. Skipp seems to scoop the Twitter man of the match award after every Norwich fixture. Admittedly, this may be partly the consequence of Spurs fans hijacking the polls, however his consistent nominations speak volumes of his performances.
Skippy scooped Norwich’s September Player of the Month award back in September.
For those unaware of of Skipp’s attributes, he is a versatile midfielder who flourishes in a holding position. He is a consistently talented passer, topping Norwich’s passing statistics this season. His vision has been on display for the Championship leaders and he has been unlucky not to provide any assists so far this season.
His composure and confidence on the ball have provided Norwich with a calming presence in possession. These attributes suggest the mindset of a veteran midfielder. Skippy is equally adept at carrying the ball at speed or picking an incisive pass, meaning he can effectively progress the ball through the defensive lines whilst under pressure. Add his impressive defensive positioning, work-rate and burst of pace and you’ve got a midfielder who truly fits his billing as an all-rounder.
Skipp is not renowned for his goal-scoring prowess. He netted his first senior goal in Norwich’s 3-1 win away at Birmingham City on Tuesday night. Although it is not a crucial requirement for his position, it would be the icing on the cake to see Skippy add another feather to his cap and chip in with more goal contributions. With a motivator like Farke demanding improvements in his game, this is likely something the Spurs academy graduate will be working on.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will likely be one of the biggest admirers of Skipp’s success in Norfolk. With Sport Witness having claimed that Harry Winks has his heart set on a summer switch to La Liga, Skipp represents a ready-made replacement that will not break the bank. Levy is known for his financial prudence, and the recall of Skipp should provide the Lilywhites with a quality youngster in the centre of the park, as well as funds to address the more pressing issues in the team.
Spurs fans, would you like to see Skipp return to N17 in the summer to learn from Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and continue his development at the top level?
Last weekend, Dane Scarlett became Spurs’ youngest Premier League player in history. Here are the Top 10:
1. Dane Scarlett – 16 years, 10 months and 14 days 7th February 2021 v West Brom
He might have held the record as Spurs’ youngest player in all competitions for less than two months, but Dane Scarlett’s record breaking Premier League debut may stay intact for a little longer (depending on whether Alfie Devine makes his league bow before the end of the season).
Scarlett has been in lethal form at youth level this season – despite starting in the Under-18s he has moved through the ranks due to the sheer weight of goals. It won’t be long until we see the name ‘Scarlett’ featuring on Premier League scoresheets too.
2. Stephen Carr – 17 years and 28 days 26th September 1993 v Ipswich Town
A modern-day Spurs great, Stephen Carr made his debut for the club less than a month past his 17th birthday, and held the record of the youngest Tottenham player to play in the Premier League for the best part of three decades.
Despite his debut in 1993, it wasn’t until the 1996-97 season that Carr became Spurs’ first-choice right-back, but he made up for lost time and racked up 272 appearances – as well as winning the League Cup in 1999 – before his departure in 2004.
Spells with Newcastle and Birmingham City followed and Carr retired in 2013 after 500 club appearances and 44 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
3. Andy Turner – 17 years, 4 months and 23 days 15th August 1992 v Southampton
Andy Turner’s debut for Spurs was a significant one in more ways than one – it was the first game in the inaugural season of the newly formed Premier League. He certainly made a decent impression, starting the next game and making 21 appearances that season, chipping in with four goals. His strike against Everton made Turner the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the time.
However, the arrival of Ossie Ardiles as manager saw Turner drop out of favour and, after successive loan spells, Turner left Tottenham in 1996, having made just three more appearances for the club. A journeyman career followed before his retirement in 2008.
4. Philip Ifil – 17 years, 8 months and 27 days 14th August 2004 v Liverpool
Philip Ifil made his debut on the opening day of the 2004-05 season, and was considered a real prospect, having appeared for various England youth sides too.
However, it wasn’t to be for a player who some considered could emerge as Stephen Carr’s long-term successor at right-back. After making just four more appearances for Spurs, Ifil moved to Colchester United in 2008. He is now playing for Sun Sport Athletic in the Watford Sunday League.
5. Adel Taarabt – 17 years, 9 months and 8 days 4th March 2007 v West Ham
‘We have found Zidane’.
Those were the thoughts of Jermaine Jenas when Adel Taarabt showed up at Tottenham in 2007, with the 17 year old making his debut in the dying moments of a 4-3 classic against West Ham.
Fast forward to 2014 and Taarabt’s manager, Harry Redknapp has described him as ‘the worst professional I have ever come across’. By that time, Taarabt had already left Spurs after just 15 appearances and his time at QPR looks to be coming at an end too. Another seven years later and, at the ages of 31, Taarabt looks to have finally settled, becoming the heart beat of Benfica’s midfield and playing the best football of his life.
6. Troy Parrott – 17 years, 10 months and 3 days 7th December 2019 v Burnley
Troy Parrott made his Republic of Ireland debut before his Premier League bow, and it’s clear he’s got a bright future for both club and country.
Despite a difficult spell with Millwall last year, Parrott remains a major talent and he is now at Ipswich Town where he has made an encouraging start. Let’s not forget, this is a player who made his debut for Spurs at the age of 17 and spent most of last season in the first-team squad. He has also scored 31 goals in just 38 games for the youth sides since joining the club in 2017.
7. Gareth Bale – 18 years, 1 month and 10 days 26th August 2007 v Manchester United
Gareth Bale made his debut in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United and for some time, it looked like he would never taste victory in Lilywhite. 24 games went by without a win and it’s reported that he came close to a £3 million move to Birmingham City.
It’s a good job he didn’t. Bale went on to become one of Tottenham’s greatest players in modern history, with 26 goals in 44 games and a host of personal accolades in the 2012-13 season earning himself a world-record move to Real Madrid. Two La Ligas, a Copa del Rey, a Supercopa de Espana, four Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and four Club World Cups then followed.
A return to Spurs hasn’t yet worked out, but with 59 goals in 218 appearances, his place as one of the best players this century is assured.
8. Jamie Slabber – 18 years, 2 months and 13 days 16th March 2003 v Liverpool
With 11 minutes to go and with Spurs 2-1 down to Liverpool, an 18 year old striker was brought on in the search of an equaliser. Steven Gerrard extended Liverpool’s lead, but Jamie Slabber would have a hand in a late goal for Tottenham, knocking the ball down for Teddy Sheringham to volley home. However, that assist in the 3-2 loss would be Slabber’s first and last contribution in a Spurs shirt and he never appeared in lilywhite again.
After loan spells with AB and Swindon, Enfield-born joined Aldershot in 2005 and spent the majority of his career between various non-League sides. After fourth spell with Grays in 2017-18, Slabber retired from the game.
9. Sol Campbell – 18 years, 2 months and 17 days 5th December 1992 v Chelsea
He played for Spurs for a bit. He left.
10. Oliver Skipp – 18 years, 2 months and 19 days 5th December 2018 v Southampton
Tottenham’s ‘future captain’ made his Premier League debut in the dying moments of the 3-1 win over Southampton, and has since gone on to make another 14 league appearances, with a total of 23 in all competitions.
With first Dane Scarlett and then Alfie Devine breaking the record for the youngest player in Tottenham’s history (and in Devine’s case, youngest goal scorer as well), and a clutch of other young players gaining first-team experience, Spurs’ academy prospects are looking as gifted and plentiful as they’ve ever been.
Fast forward ten years and it’s unlikely that Harry Kane will still be leading the line at the age of 37, so we look at the players who are set to make the step up. Given the talent coming through, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that our line up will be full of Hotspur Way graduates in a decade’s time.
This is our dream team 2030/31.
GK – Brandon Austin, 31 (age at the start of the 2030/31 season)
It’s a crowded field when it comes to Spurs’ goalkeeping prospects, with no less than nine Academy players on the books. However, it is England Under-21 stopper Brandon Austin that we feel has the best chance of making it in the first team.
Austin has been on the bench in four Europa League games this season and has been the first choice with the Under-23s, making eight appearances in the Premier League 2. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Danish side Viborg FF, impressing as he made 14 appearances in the NordicBet LIGA.
The next couple of years could be crucial for Austin – aged 22 and with his contract up in 2022, he will want to impress to prove to Jose Mourinho that he has what it takes to succeed Hugo Lloris and Joe Hart as they enter the autumn years of their careers. If he does so, he could be between the sticks come 2030/31.
Although primarily a right-back, the Edmonton-born Lusala is comfortable playing right across the defence. He has a touch of Kyle Walker about him, his pace and athleticism down the flanks standing out – his three assists in five Under 18 games demonstrate his ability going forward.
Already capped at youth level by England, we expect him to have formed an exciting full-back partnership with Dennis Cirkin by 2030/31.
Also look out for Kallum Cesay
CB – Malachi Fagan-Walcott, 28
It’s another Edmonton boy – Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
A former 200m sprint champion, Fagan-Walcott is a quick, powerful defender, but is also good in the air and reads the game very well. He has suffered from a knee injury this season, but he turned out regularly for the Under-23s last year and even made his first-team debut against RB Leipzig as a late substitute. He has also been called up to England Under 15s, 16s, 17s and 18s.
Fagan-Walcott’s idol is Ledley King – if he can go on to be half as good as the great man, he will have a very successful career in lilywhite.
Aside from Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga is the player with the most top-level experience in this group. Having made his debut in the EFL Cup in 2019, Tanganga has gone on to make 17 appearances for the senior side.
A versatile player comfortable playing right across the back, Tanganga has appeared for England at every youth level from the Under-16s to the Under-20s, and was called up for the Under-21s, but had to pull out due to injury. He signed a new five-year contract last summer and looks set to become a mainstay of the first team squad for years to come.
Hackney-born Tanganga joined the club aged just 10 – by 2030 he’ll have been with the club for two decades.
Over two and a half years ago, I attended an Under 15s/16s game against Ipswich Town. A fair few players stood out in the 6-1 win – Luis Binks, Harvey White, J’Neil Bennett, Max Robson and Chay Cooper all shined. But it was our left-back that day who you instantly knew was destined for something special.
Dennis Cirkin is a future England international with a staggering array of attributes. His reading of the game, technique in both defence and attack, work-rate, surging runs from deep and ability to score and assist offers an all-round package rarely seen in someone so young.
Although he has yet to make his competitive first-team bow, Cirkin appeared in the friendlies against Ipswich and Reading and has been named as a substitute on a handful of occasions. Despite the presence of Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon, it will be a matter of time before the England Under-18 left-back makes his debut.
When he does, he’ll be one step closer to making that number 3 shirt his own for the next decade.
Not my words, but those of Jose Mourinho, a man who knows a thing or two about these sort of things. After being with the club since 2013, Oliver Skipp made his debut as an 18 year old for Spurs, going on to make 23 appearances in all competitions over the next two seasons.
He has made a huge impact on loan with Championship side Norwich this season, quickly establishing as an indispensable member of a side pushing for promotion. If they go up, it may well that Skipp remains with the Canaries to get a full season of Premier League football under his belt.
Whether or not Skipp returns to Spurs next season, there is little doubt that the England Under-21 midfielder will be the heartbeat of our midfield for a decade to come. Like Jose, we believe he’ll be our captain in 2030/31.
Also look out for Jamie Bowden
CM – Alfie Devine, 26
At just 16 years and 163 days old, Alfie Devine became the youngest player in Spurs’ history. The youngest goalscorer in Spurs’ history.
Devine is an all-action central midfielder, his energy matched by his creativity and his ability to appear in and around the opposition penalty area and score goals. The England youth international has had a meteoric rise through the Spurs ranks after joining the club last summer, performing at Under-18, Under-23 and senior levels with distinction.
Along with Oliver Skipp and Harvey White, Devine represents the future of Spurs’ midfield.
A versatile, set piece specialist, comfortable in possession with and a wonderful left foot, White made his debut off the bench against Ludogorets in November before making his first start against Marine in the FA Cup.
Although he has been in and around the first-team squad for much of the season, White has underlined his creative potential with the Under-23s, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in just 11 games.
White was recently called up to the England Under 20 squad and he certainly has the talent to continue to move through the ranks to become a Tottenham and England regular by 2030/31.
Also look out for Max Robson
RF – Jamie Donley, 25
If our fan’s main Academy interest was Troy Parrott last season, and Dane Scarlett is this season’s, 2021/22 will see the focus switch to Jamie Donley.
Donley joined Spurs seven years ago from Colchester Villa YFC. As an Under 8, he scored a barely believable 175 goals from midfield. You read that right. 175.
Donley has only just turned 16 – and is the youngest player featured on this list – but his ability is obvious. Already this season, he’s scored 17 goals in just 12 games for the Under-16s, and has played three times for the Under-18s, scoring on his debut against Leicester. With Dane Scarlett likely to step up to the Under-23s by the end of the season, we expect to see Donley fill his shoes.
If the England youth international keeps scoring every time he moves up a level, we could be left with the mouth-watering prospect of a lethal Donley – Scarlett – Parrott forward line in 2030/31.
Also look out for Jack Clarke
ST – Dane Scarlett, 26
After his five goals against Newport in the FA Youth Cup, we posted a picture of Scarlett next to one of the great Ronaldo. It might have been a bit tongue in cheek, but if he keeps scoring at his current rate, the comparisons will only continue.
Scarlett has been in lethal form at youth level this season, scoring 19 goals in just 13 games, including three hat-tricks. As evidenced by his strikes against Newport, the England youth international’s goal scoring instincts are outstanding – his third goal in particular, a Cruyff finish, was sublime.
His record as Spurs’ youngest player may have only stood for two months, but we expect to see the name ‘Scarlett’ featuring on Premier League scoresheets for years to come.
Although Troy Parrott’s recent spell at Millwall hasn’t gone to plan, we’ve got to remember he’s only 18. Injuries have disrupted his time there and he has often been played out of position – even Kane’s loan spells weren’t always an unqualified success.
Parrott remains a major talent – he’s already received two caps for the Republic of Ireland – and his natural ability will hardly disappear after only a few months. Let’s not forget, this is a player who made his debut for Spurs at the age of 17 and spent most of last season in the first-team squad. He has also scored 31 goals in just 38 games for the youth sides since joining the club in 2017.
With the right support and opportunities, we have little doubt that, in time, Parrott will blossom into one of Tottenham’s leading players.
Given the 2-0 victory over Manchester City which sent Spurs top of the Premier League, it is understandable that the Under-18s’ win over Southampton didn’t get much of a mention. However, for keen followers of Spurs’ youth teams, the performances on display in the 7-0 victory only helped reinforce the excitement surrounding a number of players.
Two players in particular stood out – midfielder Alfie Devine, an England youth international, is a precocious talent and has already appeared for the senior team, albeit in pre-season friendlies. It is considered a matter of time before he appears in a competitive game, despite only turning 16 in the summer.
But it is Dane Scarlett, the scorer of four goals against the Saints – including a hat-trick of headers – who is the focus of this article.
Like Devine, Scarlett is a 16 year old England youth international. He also appeared in the pre-season friendlies against Ipswich and Reading. But while Devine is a box-to-box midfielder whose technical ability is matched by his relentless work rate, Scarlett is a natural goalscorer, with his four goals against Southampton taking his tally to ten in just eight appearances this season.
Scarlett first appeared for the Under-18s at just 15 years old, making four appearances and scoring his first goal at that level against Aston Villa in October 2019. However, a horrible knee injury in the following game ended his entire season.
It says a lot about his character and his talent that, not only did he battle his way back to full fitness, he also forced his way into Jose Mourinho’s pre-season plans making two appearances.
From there he has made up for lost time. He is currently the highest scorer in the Under-18 Premier League, with highlights including a goal in the 2-0 win over Arsenal and a brace and two assists in the 4-1 thumping of West Ham.
He is moving through the age groups for England, scoring for both the Under-15s and Under-16s. He would have made his debut for the Under-17s this autumn too, but had to settle for training matches against Derby Under-18s and Reading Under-23s. He still scored though.
We will not be falling into a lazy cliche by touting Scarlett as ‘the next Harry Kane’ – he is just 16 years old and it adds unnecessary pressure and expectation. To compare a player who has yet to make a single senior competitive appearance to one of the best centre forwards in world football is patently ridiculous.
However, there are certainly encouraging signs that Scarlett has what it takes to make it to the top. The sheer weight of goals he scores certainly doesn’t hurt and, as mentioned previously, he showed great character to come back so impressively from a serious knee injury. Jose Mourinho, one of the most decorated managers in history, has clearly seen something he likes, and training alongside Kane can only have a positive influence.
For now though, Scarlett will first look to make the step up to the Under-23s and, if he continues to be so prolific in front of goal, it will be a case of when, not if. With Scarlett not turning 17 until March, it is unlikely that we will see him in the first team squad this season, but between Scarlett, Troy Parrott and Jamie Donley, the future of Spurs’ strike force is looking very bright.
There is still a way to go, but you feel we won’t have too long to wait until we see the name ‘Scarlett’ appearing on a Premier League scoresheet.
Three Spurs youth players have signed their first scholarship deals with the club.
Jordan Hackett-Valton, Dane Scarlett and Roshaun Mathurin will now be included in next year’s Academy Year One.
Jordan Hackett-Valton is a left back who has represented England at youth level. Dane Scarlett is a striker who, like Hackett-Valton, has represented England at youth level. Roshaun Mathurin can play on either wing or up front.
All players have already featured for Spurs’ U18s despite only turning 16 this year.
Lilywhite Rose 