Luca Williams-Barnett made an immediate impact after finally making his Premier League debut for Tottenham over the weekend.
After 10 Premier League unused substitute appearances, it was 11th time lucky for Tottenham’s talented teenager after he made a top-flight debut in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Williams-Barnett was first named in a senior matchday squad at the age of 16 under Ange Postecoglou during the 2024-25 campaign, and after outings in the Carabao Cup last season and in August, he got the nod from Roberto De Zerbi in the Premier League with minutes left on Saturday night.
Even though Williams-Barnett spent barely five minutes on the pitch during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Palace, it was enough time for the 18-year-old to show why he has been talked up as a potential genuine star for a long time by plenty inside the north London club.
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Excitement increased when Williams-Barnett’s first touch was to bring down a cross-field pass perfectly but seconds later a mazy run gave a glimpse of his potential.
Williams-Barnett put Palace defender Anan Khalaili on his backside, then sprinted past him and Dario Osorio and crossed in for Mohammed Kudus, but the Spurs winger failed to find the net despite an open goal.
It did not knock Williams-Barnett, who turned around to the fans in the South Stand and urged for more noise. Another similar run failed soon after but earned applause from De Zerbi on the touchline.
During a week where one Tottenham academy graduate in Harry Kane claimed Ballon d’Or glory, supporters could have another player to sing “one of our own” to again.
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De Zerbi said: “I thought it was the right moment for him because it is his first game in the Premier League, but his qualities, he is a big, big talent.
“He is a very, very great talent. Very young, but a great talent.”
Spurs have now won three Premier League games in a row, having also beaten Coventry and Chelsea to climb up the table.
The north Londoners now turn their attention to a tricky trip to Leeds United this weekend, and Williams-Barnett could be given another opportunity to impress.