Spurs fans are (rightfully) freaking out about youth development right now after watching players like Will Lankshear and Tynan Thompson be sold to other clubs, while others like Lucas Bergvall angle for a summer exit. There’s a pervasive worry among fans that Spurs are ignoring academy prospects in favor of “oven ready” first team players as they attempt to rebound from consecutive 17th place league finishes.
But that’s not to say that Roberto De Zerbi is going to completely bypass the academy. The Standard is reporting that there is a small group of academy grads that have a chance to compete for first team minutes, including midfielder Callum Olusesi, defender Ju’nai Byfield, and attacking midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett, who had an impressive showing in yesterday’s preseason friendly win over MK Dons.
Olusesi is the focus of the Standard’s article, noting that he was not part of the preseason tour group as he’s recovering from an injury (along with Byfield), but that both will not be sold this summer and will be given opportunities to train with the first team and possibly earn some first team minutes. Olusesi had a few cameos last season under interim manager Igor tudor, notably playing in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
Williams-Barnett IS on the plane Down Under, but there’s doubt about him breaking through this season. However, he was one of the most impressive players in yesterday’s friendly, showing some wonderful skills against rotated League One opposition in a friendly. Still, if he can keep putting up showings like this, maybe he can convince De Zerbi that he deserves a shot this season.
(Also, full credit to the uploader who decided to set LWB’s highlights to Laufey instead of garbage techno. Excellent choice. More of this, please.)
Minutes for reserve players and developing youth are going to be at a premium this season considering Spurs are only in the Premier League and the two domestic cups, and NOT in European competition. That said, this is a good sign — it shows that Spurs aren’t just ignoring the youngsters but have an eye on a few that they think have the best chance of making an impact. It’s up to them now to impress and force their way into the conversation.