The appointment of Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham head coach will hopefully see more players make the step up from the academy to the first team. Minutes for the club's youngsters were extremely hard to come by under Antonio Conte and fans are hoping that changes under the new man in the hotseat.
Speaking following the news on Tuesday that Postecoglou had penned a four-your contract in north London, chairman Daniel Levy outlined that the 57-year-old "has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our club". Tottenham fans love nothing more than seeing their own excelling in the first team, with Harry Kane, now the club's all-time top goalscorer, the example all currently in the academy want to follow.
While Levy has mentioned that Postecoglou understands "the importance of the link from the academy" following his previous work elsewhere, the Australian outlined last month when he was in charge of Celtic that the academy players have to earn their opportunity and it would never be handed to them.
"My approach is always that every game is an opportunity for us to perform and keep improving," he said when asked if he'd blood some youngsters once Celtic had sealed the league title (via Football Scotland). "I'm not a fan of just giving games to players for some sort of ceremonial thing, everything's got to be earned.
"We've had Rocco [Vata], Benny Summers, Bosun Lawal training with us and they've had some game time because they've earned it, not because I feel like I need to give them reward. Everything they get from us they've got to earn. They're training with us, the three young boys, and it's not just them there's others.
"It's very competitive and that's what's got us to where we are right now. If I give somebody a game I better have some pretty compelling reasons to do it because there'll be someone who's not playing who will want to know why.
READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou's dream Tottenham XI for 2023/24 with Aymeric Laporte one of four big transfers
"I've been really consistent in saying that every team I select I think will win us a game of football and perform to the best possible level with the knowledge that we can put some decent players on. That won't change irrespective of whether we've sealed the title or not."
Clearly stating what his academy players need to do if they want to make it in the first team, a number of Tottenham's talented youngsters will be determined to catch his eye as soon as training starts ahead of the new season. So which Spurs starlets could potentially impress Postecoglou over the coming weeks if given a chance in training? football.london takes a look below.
Alfie Devine
Tottenham have a gem on their hands in Devine. A regular in first-team training over the past couple of seasons, the 18-year-old has been included in the matchday squad on a handful of occasions but to date has only made two senior appearances for the Lilywhites.
Impressing in the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup and netting a couple of goals for England, Devine will return to Hotspur Way this summer determined to impress Postecoglou, which in turn will hopefully lead to some appearances in pre-season. The ex-Wigan Athletic man could thrive in the new manager's midfield three as he has all the qualities to take on one of the attacking roles given his ability to score, pick out a pass and make intelligent runs.
Devine needs to be playing regular first-team football next season to aid his development. If he is not going to be fast-tracked into Postecoglou's plans, a loan move must come to fruition.
Dane Scarlett
Rated extremely highly by all at the club, Scarlett headed out on loan last season as he linked up with League One side Portsmouth. Making a decent start to life at Fratton Park, his minutes soon started to dry up towards the end of the campaign following a change in management.
Providing that he does not exit on loan immediately, the striker could be given a go in pre-season when Tottenham jet off to Australia and Asia to play their friendly games. The youngster definitely requires another loan as he looks to take his game to the next level.
Troy Parrott
Featuring for Spurs on their pre-season tour of South Korea last summer, Parrott departed for Preston North End not long after as he linked up with the Championship side on a season-long loan deal. His fourth loan spell away from the club, Parrott netted four goals in 34 appearances for the Lancashire side.
With two years left on his Tottenham contract, it is a very important summer for the player as he looks to make his mark and achieve his goal of becoming a Spurs first-team regular. While he could be given a shot in pre-season by Postecoglou, another loan would be best for him right now.
George Abbott
The 2022/23 season ended in style for Abbott as he made his Premier League debut in the final few minutes of Tottenham's win against Leeds United. Ryan Mason hailed the 17-year-old when speaking in his post-match press conference and made it clear that the youngster had worked hard for his opportunity and it wasn't a gift.
Despite usually operating as a holding midfielder, the vast majority of Abbott's football last season, whether that be for the Under-18s or in Premier League 2, came at right-back. Definitely one for the future, the Islington-born player will be looking to start the new term where he left off the previous campaign.
Matthew Craig
Abbott wasn't the only youngster to make his league debut away at Leeds on the final day as Craig was also introduced for the final 13 minutes at Elland Road. On the bench in the previous two league games, the 20-year-old was in the squad on a handful of occasions the previous campaign but the opportunity to play unfortunately never came his way.
Craig will now be looking to build on his senior debut and catch the eye of Postecoglou this summer.
Charlie Sayers
Signed from Southend United in December 2021, Sayers already has a taste of the first-team environment after travelling to South Korea for last summer's pre-season tour and playing for the Lilywhites. The 19-year-old centre-back made 13 appearances in Premier League 2 last campaign and he also managed to get two assists to his name in his only UEFA Youth League appearance against Marseille.
Depending on what happens in terms of the current centre-backs at Tottenham ahead of this season, Sayers could possibly be given another chance to shine.
Alfie Dorrington
Another talented centre-back currently at the club is Dorrington. Making 34 appearances in total last season, the 18-year-old got his hands on silverware in April after playing a key role for the Lilywhites as they won the Under-17 Premier League Cup following a big win at Nottingham Forest.
A short time later and he tasted success again after Spurs beat Aston Villa 3-1 to clinch the Under-18 Premier League Cup. Dorrington played a key role in Jamie Donley's goal with a wonderful run out from the back that culminated in his teammate netting with a smart finish.
Rio Kyerematen
Another star in the Under-18s Premier League Cup triumph was Kyerematen. After scoring a last-gasp winner in the semi-final at Sheffield United, the central midfielder had another pivotal role to play as he hit a double at Villa Park, with his second goal a fine finish with the outside of his boot that went in via the post.
Contributing four goals and seven assists in the Under-18 Premier League last term, Kyerematen also chipped in with a goal in the FA Youth Cup. The goals haven't stopped there for the 18-year-old either as he was on the scoresheet with a late equaliser for England Under-18s in their 2-2 draw with Norway on Friday.
The talented midfielder is another with a bright future ahead of him. Carry on the way he's going and he could catch Postecoglou's eye if an opportunity comes his way in training.
What do you think of the Postecoglou appointment? Have your say below!
READ NEXT:
Ange Postecoglou has the perfect Tottenham youngster for his system to fulfil Daniel Levy demand
Maddison signs, £25m transfer win, Ndombele wait - Ange Postecoglou's dream Tottenham midfield
