Dilan Markanday was on the lips of all Tottenham fans 12 months ago after an incredible run of form in Premier League 2. Finishing the 2020/21 season with three goals and three assists from 20 appearances, the 21-year-old exploded into life the following campaign and excelled in front of goal, leading to plenty of talk about a promotion to the first team.
Making an instant mark in Premier League 2 with a hat-trick in a 4-2 win away at Leeds United six days after a strike against Chelsea, the goals continued to flow for the youngster. Nuno Espirito Santo simply couldn't ignore him and it resulted in Markanday making the matchday squad on four occasions, including in the dismal 3-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace.
Despite continuing to plunder the goals and set up his teammates, the only first-team pitch time he got came in the Europa Conference League as Spurs fell to a shock 1-0 loss at Vitesse that left Nuno's job hanging in the balance. It was no surprise to see a number of clubs linked to Markanday, who was out of contract at the end of the campaign, and he eventually departed midway through January as he signed on the dotted line for Blackburn Rovers.
