There was a surprise inclusion in Tottenham Hotspur's men's team squad photo for the 2026/27 season when it emerged as the Premier League went on a three-week hiatus for an extended international break.
The squad photo included Richarlison, which was a surprise in itself, given the Brazilian was left out of Roberto De Zerbi's 25-man Premier League squad that was named after the summer transfer window closed.
But the biggest surprise was that one of the club's academy players was involved in the shoot - just one. That player was Luca Williams-Barnett, in a sure sign that De Zerbi has faith in the teenager to make the step up and become a first-team regular.
A number of other young players have been in matchday squad under De Zerbi, given the injury list that the Italian has dealt with at the end of last season and the beginning of this. But no others were given the honour of appearing in the first-team's matchday picture for the season.
Many Spurs supporters have been clamouring for him to be given a runout in the Premier League, particularly given Tottenham's lack of creativity in the final third, although when he has been involved he has noticed the different in tempo, saying that it "felt quite difficult to match the tempo and intensity" when he has been around the group. Recently turned 18, it would be a lot of pressure to heap on a youngster's shoulders to charge him with filling the void left by Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison in the No.10 role, but he certainly has the confidence in his own ability to make it to the top.
I can't wait to play in the Premier League, scoring for Tottenham, making the fans happy.
The teenager has 23 goals and 10 assists in 28 games in the U18 Premier League, as well as seven goals and six assists in Premier League 2 - the U21 league - in 11 appearances. He also has seven goals and two assists in 6 UEFA Youth League matches.
He scored for England U19s in their games with Norway U18s and the USA U19s during the current international break, with former Spurs star Dele Alli watching some highlights of him, including the goal against Norway, and saying: "I like this kid. I’m watching real talent right here. I’ve watched enough to see he is a baller, he could be the next big thing."
Given his position, Williams-Barnett could be likened to Alli, while he has also played in a more reserved central midfield role for the youth teams at Hotspur Way.
Former Tottenham academy coach Stuart Lewis suggested he had the ability to get fans off their feet like David Ginola and Dimitar Berbatov and Williams-Barnett can certainly be likened to players of that ilk.
He may not play so much off the wings, but his strength, calmness on the ball and ability beat players is very similar to what Tottenham legend Gareth Bale delivered regularly in N17.
Given what he has already managed in front of goal for the youth teams too, would suggest he has similar traits to that of Jermain Defoe too, another who scored a hatful of goals for Spurs.
Williams-Barnett has a long way to go, but De Zerbi cleared the decks of a lot of young players this summer and the 18-year-old stayed put and not only that has been included in the squad photo. He has a bright future and that future could arrive sooner rather than later.