There was understandably considerable concern and controversy surrounding Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment at Tottenham Hotspur, not least of which was the fact that the Italian failed to win in his first five Premier League games as manager at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Given Spurs’ current relegation predicament, a repeat of this slow start would be devastating, but on the positive side, the 46-year-old could be the perfect coach to develop the club’s exciting young players.
For example, upon returning to Brighton, De Zerbi took charge of Moises Caicedo in his first full Premier League season in 2022-23, and was also instrumental in the rise of former boy prodigy Evan Ferguson, with the Irishman scoring 15 goals in 60 games under his management.
As Seagulls youth coach Shannon Roos said at the time, “(De Zerbi) has no age barrier and is keen to promote from within.” That should be music to the ears of North Londoners.
Spurs academy stars who could develop under De Zerbi
Looking ahead to next season, we’ll see a number of academy players return to the N17 after extensive loan spells, and De Zerbi will be keeping an eye on those rising stars this summer.
It was reported on Tuesday that promising striker Will Lanxia, who has scored nine goals in the Championship this season, is likely to stay, but his stay will depend on whether Spurs break the drop.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the next Harry Kane awaits Mikey Moore, who scored six goals in the Premiership as part of the Glasgow side’s promotion push, has already spoken of his desire to return to the club at the end of a fruitful spell at Rangers.
As for the current players in north London, expectations are high for teenage strike duo James Wilson and Mason Melia. The pair arrived in January from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.
Both forwards are waiting for their chance at the top level, but minutes have also been given to James Rowswell, Jun’ai Byfield and midfield sensation Callum Orcesi in recent weeks.
Average team age – 2022/23* | |
|---|---|
team | average age |
saint | 24.6 |
arsenal | 24.6 |
leeds | 25.1 |
brighton | 25.7 |
brentford | 25.7 |
chelsea | 25.9 |
bee mouse | 26.2 |
everton | 26.3 |
leicester | 26.3 |
*De Zerbi’s first season at Brighton | |
Considering the number of injuries faced by De Zerbi and the likes of Igor Tudor, Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou before him, the youth team could very well be the solution, especially given that the senior players have struggled to perform in recent days.
One key area that the Italian maverick may be looking to address is on the left flank, with Son Heung-min’s huge hole still to be filled.
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With Brennan Johnson released, Wilson Odbert sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and Mohamed Kudus slowly working his way back to fitness, the lack of depth in the side continues to be an issue.
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As a result, 20-year-old Matthijs Tell has recently been used as a left-winger, but the Frenchman hasn’t exactly blossomed, despite a strong performance in the 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
Tell assisted compatriot Randal Kolo Muani for the opening goal that day, but he has only been involved in a goal in just four games in all competitions this season, an unimpressive figure in 31 appearances.
If De Zerbi looks for a suitable replacement for the former Bayern Munich man in both the short and long term, he could well hand highly-rated academy star Luca Willams-Barnett a permanent promotion, although the 17-year-old has been restricted to just one senior appearance so far this season.
His limited involvement has been affected by the teenager’s own recent injury troubles, but there is a sense that he should have been utilized long before that, hailed as “one of England’s best talents at youth level” by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Williams-Barnett, who appears to be Spurs’ answer to Arsenal superstar Max Dowman in Mattinson’s view, has cracked it at academy level in recent years, operating primarily as a number 10 or even in wide defence.
According to Transfermarkt, the Luton-born speedster has so far scored 37 goals and assisted in just 32 games for the Under-18s and contributed 13 goals in 11 games at Under-21 level.
This includes 11 goals and assists in just 10 games in Premier League 2 this season, further showing why he needs to step up, whether this season or in 2026/27.
Perhaps Spurs would prefer a loan move like Moore, but given De Zerbi’s previous work with young players, that should give them hope that Williams-Barnett will make an immediate impact at first-team level.
Tell is a natural centre-forward, perhaps by trade, but he hasn’t fully developed on the left, with Williams-Barnett, who made his debut on the left against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, certain to fill that role.
After the success of Kane and others during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, De Zerbi must once again put establishing an academy at the heart of Spurs’ future.
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