Tottenham fans are feeling very merry in the Transfer Tavern, discussing how successful Mauricio Pochettino has been in transitioning promising youngsters to first-team level and wondering who’ll be the next exciting talent to make the same journey.
Indeed, amid the modern era of results-comes-first mindsets in the Premier League, Pochettino deserves practically unrivalled praise for the way he’s given chances to young players at White Hart Lane and, on the most part, reaped the rewards for doing so.
Harry Kane could hardly get a game before the Argentine arrived in north London but is now arguably the deadliest striker in the Premier League, netting 60 times over the past three campaigns.
Likewise, although Danny Rose made his debut back in the days of Harry Redknapp, the current Spurs boss has undoubtedly got the best out of the flying wing-back, who is now the first-choice No.3 for both club and country.
But who could be the next star along this conveyor belt? Which Spurs youngster could go on to grab his club a small fortune in the transfer market, much like former world-record signing Gareth Bale? Transfer Tavern takes a look at two potential options.
Marcus Edwards
Marcus Edwards shot to notoriety last summer during pre-season, when his silky skills and electric turn of pace stood out as much as his garish hairstyle. Indeed, Edwards is an exciting attacking midfielder with such exceptional close control and balance that Spurs boss Pochettino even compared him to a certain Lionel Messi.
It seems unlikely the 18-year-old will go on to reach similar Ballon-d’Or-contending realms of ability but he clearly has a bright future, also boasting twelve goals and 34 caps for England at youth level, and considering the ridiculous premiums placed on English players these days, he could go on to be worth an absolute tonne in the transfer market.
Shilow Tracey
There’s something about players with a bit of experience at the lower levels of the English game that is proving such a big hit in the top flight these days and that could well be the case with Shilow Tracey, provided he holds onto that rugged physicality, grit and aggression that has seen the likes of Jamie Vardy and Dele Alli flourish in the Premier League.
Spurs picked up the midfielder from Ebbsfleet in 2016 after he’d played an integral part in their run to the second round of the FA Youth Cup Proper and although the 18-year-old is still waiting for his first senior outing in a Lilywhites jersey, he’s making progress with their Development Squad, netting four times in 14 outings this season.
That lower league exposure has given Dele Alli a unique edge and if Tracey can mimic it, he could soon join the England midfielder in discussions about the next world-record transfer fee.
