Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder and forward Luca Williams-Barnett has only appeared in two Premier League matches this season, and his appearance against Leeds United last weekend was always going to be a nondescript one, given how poorly the team was playing. But in just two minutes against Crystal Palace, Williams-Barnett provided the same spark he showed in the preseason that left Spurs fans wanting more.
Spurs are in a tough spot as an attack right now. Even with James Maddison set to return from injury against Ipswich Town after the November international break, Tottenham are grappling with the continually present reality that Maddres may never be able to sustain fitness for them in the 10 role. And Spurs do not really have another decisive attacking player with the strikers failing to score and nobody else besides Savio, who was injured for a couple of weeks, adding much creativity.
Savio's return will be a hidden boon for the Tottenham attack, as he was one of the best players in all of European football at winning one on ones and creating chances, especially from the wings. But that won't be enough with only Mathys Tel playing a quality creative and decisive role in the front three.
Tottenham Hotspur need a spark, and they need to start seeing what Luca Williams-Barnett can do with more responsibility. Roberto De Zerbi has been understandably reluctant to do so. From the moment he joined Spurs, De Zerbi leaned on veterans, and while that was important in someting like a relegation fight, that does not need to be the case now.
De Zerbi hesitated on even playing LWB until Crystal Palace, bringing him on when he knew the player would succeed. That is ideal for his confidence, no doubt, but Spurs are facing a real conundrum as a team and need to see if Williams-Barnett can be a solution.
Roberto De Zerbi has to trust the teenage sensation. He has someone who can already change games and providing something different, and while he does not have to start right off the bat since Mathys Tel and Savio are on the wings - plus Mohammed Kudus - but whenever James Maddison can't play, Williams-Barnett might honestly be their best option as a 10. Because everyone knows Conor Gallagher can't play a creative role, and Mateus Fernandes needs to be in the double pivot. Until Xavi Simons comes back, Williams-Barnett is the one who can bring a spark to the table, and De Zerbi has to swallow his pride and let LWB play for at least 30 minutes more.