Luca Williams-Barnett could now be given a shot in the first team at Tottenham after Xavi Simons’ red card.
Spurs have been on a downward spiral in recent weeks, which has seen them drop to 14th in the table.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool was their latest defeat at home, with both Simons and Cristian Romero being sent off in the process.
Simons is now set to be banned for three matches at Tottenham, which will see him miss out on multiple big fixtures.
However, Tottenham expert John Wenham has backed Williams-Barnett to be given a chance in his place.
John Wenham: Luca Williams-Barnett could be given chance amid Xavi Simons suspension
Williams-Barnett is seen as one of Tottenham’s brightest upcoming youngsters.
The 17-year-old has progressed through the academy and made his Spurs first-team debut in the Carabao Cup earlier this campaign.
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Since then, Thomas Frank has placed the young midfielder on the bench multiple times in the Champions League as he looks to develop him into a star.
With Simons now out of action until the new year, Wenham was quick to express his frustration with the red card, while also backing the manager to give Williams-Barnett a chance.
He exclusively told Football Insider: “We have a difficult run of games coming up now, we are without Simons for three games, which is very frustrating.
“He has had a slow start at Tottenham; it looked like he turned a corner. We beat Brentford, and he got a goal and an assist. He then followed that up with another goal in the Champions League, albeit a penalty.
“It will be a real setback that red card.
Wenham then added: “Longer term, he (Simons) has to be involved. He was a long-term transfer signing; he is on big money; he took the number seven shirt off Son. He is basically the poster boy of the club moving forward.
“We haven’t seen much of him yet, and it was really frustrating that red card the other day.
“But the interesting thing is that he is now going to be out for three games, Sarr is away at AFCON.
“In terms of midfield positions on the bench, he may have a crack at one of the promising youngsters like Luca Williams-Barnett, who could get promoted into the first-team squad and maybe get an opportunity off the bench, which would be exciting for him.”
How has Williams-Barnett been performing in Tottenham’s academy?
According to Fotmob on 23 December, Williams-Barnett has been excellent in Spurs’ academy.
In the Premier League 2 this season, he is averaging 0.90 goals and 3.58 shots per match.
On top of this, he is picking up 0.60 assists and creating 3.28 chances every 90 minutes.
Therefore, it appears obvious why Frank has one eye on the youngster as he looks to utilise Spurs’ academy set-up.
Hopefully, Williams-Barnett will be given a chance in the first team over the festive period as he aims to show Frank how good he can be.