Over the past few years, Tottenham Hotspur has shifted its recruitment focus to landing young talents who can become key members of the first team’s team.
Lucas Bergvall joined the Lilywhites in a £8.5 million deal from 18-year-old Djurgarden, but has plunged into the deep edge as the injury crisis endured throughout 2024/25.
The Swedes have earned over 50 appearances for the club, perhaps one of the most important players, as seen in his goal against West Ham United last weekend.
He also joined the team in recent weeks after the Dutch completed a £52 million transfer to North London to further strengthen Thomas Frank’s ranks.
At just 22 years old, he is already a somewhat experienced option, earning over 160 senior appearances, but has the potential to grow into an elite level talent in the near future.
Both players want to follow in the footsteps of one player who has had a major impact on the club for a short period of time and then capture the hearts of the fanbase.
The Age of Ally at Tottenham Hotspur
Dere Ally was considered a huge talented young man with the Spurs, but despite his early success with the club, he struggled to maintain his top-level performance.
The British joined Lily White in the summer of 2015 on a £5 million deal from the MK Dons, taking the Premier League by storm in their first few seasons.
He was able to register for 46 goals and 35 appearances in his first 146 appearances for the club.
Such a form allowed the attacking midfielder to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice, but his time with Lily White would quickly deteriorate the following year.
Jose Mourinho’s appointment as boss saw the former Chelsea man questioning the player’s work ethic, and as a result, the stars were often out of the bench minutes to make any form of impact.
The issue of attitude also rose beneath the surface, bringing a sad end to what was a promising start to his career with the club after making a free transfer to join Everton in January 2022.
Other off-field issues were released by Como at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and players developed their heads without clubs.
The player is Frank’s own Ali version
Given the heavily invested in the first team in recent years, it’s no surprise to see current boss Frank as a beneficiary of the talent of the Spurs book.
Things like Bergvall and Simons currently offer products within the mid-part department, and such areas are set for years to come, softer age.
Such a duo could hold the key to future success during Dane’s tenure – especially if the first game of the current season takes anything.
DJed Spence is another player who can withstand a rapid rise to stardom in North London as a result of the recent injury crisis and play a major role in the first team.
After three failed loan spells with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa, it looked as if his career at Lily White would end – but he secured his position on the first team.
This crisis on the part of Ange Postecoglou last year caused the 25-year-old to play a regular role in his first team.
Frank’s arrival only strengthened the fullback grip against the starting roll, selected as a starter in each of Dane’s five competitive games in the Premier League and Champions League.
He works in a different role than Ally, like his former fan, but Spence, labeled “world class” by one analyst, has some similarities with his fellow-man.
Both joined EFL club Lily White after a fullback from Middlesbrough joined, but as the years passed, there were also question marks about their attitude.
DJED SPENCE -SPURS PL STATS (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | totalling |
The game has been played | twenty five |
Goals and Assistance | 3 |
Progressive Carry | 3.1 |
Progressive Pass | 5.3 |
The tackle won | 2.4 |
Intercept has been performed | 1.1 |
The air won | 1.1 |
Aerial success rate | 60% |
Statistics via FBREF | |
The 25-year-old is known to have been in a feud with former boss Neil Warnock, and the player himself previously posted messages directed at the former boss on social media.
But the biggest fundamental comparison is the natural talent the duo has shown in their Spurs first team, helping them achieve all sorts of achievements along the way.
Dere fails to maintain his early success, but Spence hopes that he will be better and play an important role in Frank’s hunt.
