Antonio Conte has spoken positively regarding his academy players, with a number of them featuring on the bench in recent games.
Since the January transfer window, which saw eight departures from both the first team and academy squad and just two incomings, Tottenham have clearly been numerically reduced.
This, along with a number of injuries to key players, has left space on the bench for some of Spurs' U23s to occupy.
Since the Italian's arrival, not many of them have been given a chance to make appearances on the bench, let alone feature on the pitch, which has been understandable given the Lilywhites are still competing for a top-four spot and that they are still currently chasing silverware in the form of the FA Cup.
With Pierluigi Gollini's illness adding to the list of injuries Tottenham already have, Conte included Dane Scarlett, Harvey White, Brandon Austin and Alfie Devine on the bench at Elland Road.
With his side 4-0 up, the Italian gave Scarlett some game time, with the 17-year-old replacing Son Heung-min in the 87th minute of the match against Leeds.
The academy players have been impressing for the U23s which has got the attention of Conte and allowed him to give them a chance to feature in the Premier League matchday squad.
In his pre-match press conference on Monday, the 52-year-old was asked about giving the youngsters a chance.
"I don't give gifts to my players," he admitted. "If you are a player and you are only 17-years-old, Dane's working really hard and he is a really good prospect from the academy.
"He is for sure at this moment the best prospect from the academy.
"There are a couple of others who are improving. Dane has to continue to work very hard, we are trying to find the best solution in the training because he has a long history with injuries, he has great potential, he is only 17.
"It was a signal for him because he deserved this opportunity to play a few minutes. I don’t give a gift to anybody. They have to deserve this opportunity."
Last season, Scarlett made the most of his appearances in the U18s Premier League and in just 16 appearances he scored 17 goals and registered four assists.
Devine has been another promising prospect in the academy, making 12 Premier League 2 appearances so far this season, scoring seven goals and getting three assists.
The youngsters are more likely to have been given a chance because of the injuries Conte is having to deal with, with the likes of Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga missing from the matchday squad for a number of weeks now.
However, as the Italian confirmed, he doesn't just include players for the sake of it, so the four academy players who have been given a chance have clearly earned it.
