Dane Scarlett has become Tottenham's second young player to go on loan this summer. Troy Parrott was the first, making the temporary move to Preston North End for next season.
The 18-year-old has made ten first team appearances for Spurs, with two of those being in the Premier League. This has already earned him praise from a number of Tottenham managers, including Antonio Conte earlier this year.
"I'm seeing a lot of improvement today in Scarlett honestly if I have to tell you. Seeing that this guy is improving a lot, he's only 17-years-old but I can tell you that he is a really important prospect for Tottenham," he admitted.
READ MORE: Tottenham starlet Dane Scarlett joins League One Portsmouth on season-long loan
The loan move is likely to be hugely beneficial for Scarlett and will hopefully be as successful as Oliver Skipp's spell with Norwich was. It gives the striker the chance to get some regular game time, as well as continuing to develop, before he return to N17.
In his first interview with the Southern club, Scarlett spoke on why he made the move. "Obviously the club has got brilliant history and they're very ambitious and I see an opportunity here, so I think I made the right decision," the 18-year-old explained.
"I spoke to the gaffer and what he said was appealing to me and [I'm] really excited to get started." Pompey manager, Danny Cowley, has already expressed his excitement of welcoming Scarlett.
"We’re delighted to have Dane with us and we’re really appreciative of Tottenham for trusting us to look after one of their young players. He spent the whole of last season with the first team and featured in some of their European fixtures, training every day with world class players," he said.
“He’s a boy who has the world at his feet and comes here after a brilliant summer with England, playing a big part in that success. There’s an intelligence beyond his years – both in and out of possession – with the timing of his runs and the movement that allows him to win space behind defenders.
“We think those qualities will carry a real threat and add a different dimension to our team, while against the ball he has an unbelievable work ethic. Dane has an infectious energy and I know that the staff at both Tottenham and the England set-up think the world of him," Cowley added.
The youngster went on to explain what it was like playing for the England U19 side that recently won the Euros. "Obviously it was a brilliant experience, winning the Euros. Not much more to say, it was a proud moment but I want to do bigger and better now," he said.
Scarlett was then questioned on his Tottenham appearances, making his debut when he was just 16. "It was a surreal moment for me [Spurs debut]. [I] wasn't really expecting it because I was training with them, but I wasn't expecting to get a game. Everything happened really fast and now it's history," the starlet explained.
The striker is one of a number of the Spurs academy who are called up to train with the first team squad most weeks and Scarlett also featured on the bench on many occassions last season. "I think that helps massively," he admitted.
"Obviously getting to see some of the best players in the world everyday and compete against some great players. I think it's really benefitting for me and my career.
"On and off the pitch I've learnt so much, just by watching him [Harry Kane] and on the pitch, everything he does is perfect. Just how he is around the building."
The youngster ended his first interview by saying he knows he will be a good addition to Cowley's squad and expressed his excitement to start working. "I like to get in and around the box.
"I like to make runs. I'm hungry, I want to win the ball back when we are not in possession and I just love scoring goals. Personally I just want to kick on and get some minutes in men's football and enjoy it."
The Pompey boss ended his comments with his hopes for Scarlett, throughout the 2022/23 campaign. "This is his first loan and so it won’t be easy because it’s a new experience, but we’re there to support him, like we have done with many young players in the past," Cowley admitted. "We’re really looking forward to working with Dane, who’s an outstanding finisher with both feet and his head. He has a ruthlessness that centre-forwards need."
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