After joining Spurs, Donley has impressed in every age group squad, and in November 2020, he was given the chance to make his U18 debut. From then on, there was no looking back for Donley. Although he made his debut in the 2020/21 season, this was not his breakout year.

The season after making his debut, Donley became a regular starter, and he made sure his place in the squad was secure.

He went on to have a stellar season and ended up in the top five goalscorers in the league with 18 goals to boot. Not only did he bring goals to the table, but he was an excellent provider and picked up six assists in the league (Transfermarkt). 

LEYLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Jamie Donley of Tottenham Hotspur smiles as they warm up prior to the Premier League 2 match between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur at Leyland County Ground on April 15, 2023 in Leyland, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

You would expect him to keep his rich vein of form in the next season; however, it was somewhat disrupted. Donley had to share his time between the U18s and the U21s due to injuries. The lack of depth in the U21 squad meant he had to start for them when he should have been starting for the U18s.

This constant switching between the two squads brought irregularity for him, in the U18s, he was superb, picking up nine goal contributions in six games (Transfermarkt). However, his return in the U21s was not as impressive, with just five G/A in 21 games. 

The academy set-up was becoming distorted, and under Antonio Conte, there was also a lack of cohesion between the U21s and the starting XI, with very few academy players in the cup squads.

Not only this, Alfie Devine spent the whole season travelling with the first team, yet he only played one minute in the whole season. This is just one example of the poor relationship between the academy and Conte’s squads.

The disappointment for the academy didn’t stop there. The U21s faced the risk of relegation going into the last game of the season. Although the U21s won their match, results elsewhere meant they were relegated. This, however, was not the case, as a rule change in the PL2 meant they would not face relegation and instead would be part of a newly formatted league.

Jamie Donley is a gem of the Tottenham academy

Not many expected much of Spurs in the PL2 this year after last season. This didn’t dishearten the young stars, and they started the season off with four consecutive wins, including a 5-0 win over reigning champions Manchester City.

At the forefront of this spectacular form is Donley. He has led the attack for Spurs and has created a superb partnership with Yago Santiago and Jude Soonsup-Bell. These three have been so influential in Spurs’ form and output in the opening games. Although Donley sits in front of Santiago and Soonsup-Bell.

In the opening game against Man City Donley was flawless, and he picked up two assists. One of which came from his relentless pressure and pressing, something that has become a regular in his game.

He carried this momentum into the next game, against Newcastle. In this game, Donley was once again a magician. After being played down the line, he put in a perfect low-swinging cross to Soonsup-Bell, who tapped it past the keeper. A move that was orchestrated by Donley’s playmaking ability.

Donley didn’t show any signs of slowing down, and in the next week, he would once again be as influential as ever against Derby. After a ball trickled away in the distance, Donley tracked it down and dove into a tackle, winning the ball and starting the Spurs attack.

He then re-positioned himself and received the ball without looking at the goal. Donley powered a ball into the box, which landed perfectly for Soonsup-Bell, who didn’t even have to change his run. This was an outrageous pass that most Premier League stickers wouldn’t dare to try.

Half an hour later, Donley would once again demonstrate his immense passing ability. After a ball rolled away from the goal area, Donely chased it and turned to put it back towards the back post.

He did this without looking at the area, and yet it still found Soonsup-Bell perfectly at the back post. Donley was ominous against Derby and proved he is truly a multi-faceted striker who can be a dynamo or a devastating poacher.

STEVENAGE, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Jamie Donley of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur U21 v Manchester City U21 at The Lamex Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Stevenage, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

In Spurs’ most recent fixture against Sunderland in the cup, Nile John was tripped in the box just 20 minutes in. The referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot and up-step Donley.

With total composure, he fired it into the bottom right corner, giving Spurs the lead. Spurs went on to win the game in the dying seconds after a stunning Harvey White freekick.

Donley has thrived so far this season and will no doubt continue to dominate the league with the rest of the highly talented Spurs U21 side. Hopefully, we will see Donley make his 1XI debut this season; however, now that Spurs are out of the Carabao Cup, this narrows the fixtures he could do this in.

It’s most likely he will have to wait until the FA Cup fixtures or if there is an injury to one of the Spurs frontline players.

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STEVENAGE, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Jamie Donley of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur U21 v Manchester City U21 at The Lamex Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Stevenage, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Game 1 – Manchester City

Spurs U21s played their first game of the PL2 season against reigning champions Manchester City. However, it didn’t take long in the game for Spurs to find their rhythm. Just six minutes into the game, Jamie Donely played a pass into Yago Santiago who drove forward, cut inside, and curled a shot into the near post, which beat the Man City keeper. (YouthFootballHighlights).

Spurs’ next opportunity came five minutes later, when Donely’s pressing paid off and he managed to get a foot to a Man City pass. This pass bobbled off Donely’s foot and landed perfectly for Jude Soonsup-Bell. With one quick motion, Soonsup-Bell fired the ball into the roof of the net, and Spurs led 2-0.

Spurs’ aggressive pursuit of goals continued but didn’t come to fruition until moments into the second half. After Nile John was dragged down, Soonsup-Bell swiftly took advantage and delivered a perfect outside-of-the-boot pass to a marauding Damola Ajayi. He then shifted the ball outside, which left the final Man City defender out of the equation, and to top it off, he slid the ball through the keeper’s legs for a nutmeg goal. 

Man City then applied some pressure to the Spurs defence, but Alfie Dorrington and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster were able to make easy work of any Man City attacks, with most of Man City’s efforts nullified before a shot could be registered. Spurs goalie, Josh Keeley, was rarely tested and looked comfortable throughout the game.

Spurs once again were looking to extend their lead, and Santiago would be the one to launch and finish this attack. After a misplaced pass from the Man City midfield, they were backtracking, and Santiago took advantage of that. His pressure on the unaware ball carrier meant he was able to swiftly take possession and drive goalward.

The Man City centre-back was once again chasing back and dove in to tackle Santiago, but he was able to slow his run and watch the defender slide past. Santiago then curled an effort from a tight angle, but it was perfectly placed and beat the Man City keeper.

The final goal would come in the 71st minute when a freekick was given to Spurs. Nile John looked up and saw Rio Kyerematen running a fantastic line down the heart of the Man City defence. The perfectly weighted pass met Kyerematen with only one defender in front of him. However, there was no stopping Kyerematen, who danced his way around the lone defender and slotted it into the back of the net. 

Spurs went on to win the game 5-0 in dominating fashion. Last year, the champions were easily beaten by the slightly older Spurs side, and Spurs sat at the top of the table. The whole team played flawlessly, but Soonsup-Bell and Santiago had outstanding games, and both look to be in fantastic form going into the season.

Game 2 – Newcastle United

Newcastle would be the ones to start the game strong, and their first major chance came in the 11th minute. After a low cross was played into the box, Remi Savage had a shot at Spurs goalkeeper Josh Keeley. Nevertheless, Keeley was able to make a strong save from a dangerous effort, keeping the score level (YouthFootballHighlights).

The next chance would fall to Spurs after a fast pass was fired into the feet of Soonsup-Bell, who clipped it down the line to a full-flight Santiago. This left Santiago with acres of space and the goal in sight. With his lightning-fast feet, he was able to steer clear of any danger and glide past the keeper. Santiago then coolly passed it into the unoccupied goal.

Just minutes later, Alfie Devine cut in from the left and fired a shot goalward, which narrowly missed and whistled past the inside post.

After 25 minutes of play, Spurs got another chance. Dorrington was able to work his way to the byline and deliver a pass to an unmarked Donley. This was fired wide of the target, and it was a chance that should have been claimed, but Spurs would have to keep plugging away to force more chances.

Chances did come, and 10 minutes later, Spurs found themselves with another attempt to score. Santiago had the ball played into him, he then drove inward, allowing Donely to drift outside. He then played a through ball to Donely, who had plenty of running room as the full-back had committed to Santiago. Donely opted for a quick cross to the back post, which found Soonsup-Bell, who clipped it in with an outstretched foot.

There was a scare for Spurs just before the half when Newcastle midfielder Turner Cook curled an effort that just missed the far post. This would be the last effort at goal before the halftime whistle.

Just after halftime, Santiago would continue his rich vein of form, and he took on defenders down the left flank. He was able to move around the full-back as he shifted the ball from his right foot to his left, which then powered a shot past the keeper to put Spurs 3-0 up.

Spurs once again applied more pressure to the Newcastle backline when John played a pass into Soonsup-Bell’s feet. Soonsup-Bell turned and looked to edge it to Donely, but a tackle stopped this. Nevertheless, John was there to reclaim the ball for Spurs, but instead, he opted for a first-time shot, which beat the Newcastle keeper and gave Spurs the lead 4-0.

Newcastle were eager to get back into the game, and they were crafting more and more chances. In the 67th minute, Josh Keeley had to dive full-stretch after a shot was hit cross-goal from far out.

In the 77th minute, Newcastle had a stellar chance after a lofted cross was played in from the byline. A Newcastle player was waiting for this ball to drop to his feet, and he hit it first time at goal. Despite Spurs’ effort to clear the ball, it nestled into the back of the net.

The game finished 4-1, and Spurs once again shined in a high-scoring, thrilling match. They end this weekend at the summit, with North London rivals Arsenal in second place. They face Derby in the next fixture – last season Derby picked up just 1 point in the PL2 division 2. This should be an easier fixture for Spurs considering their two previous results against top-quality opposition.

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At the epicentre of this was Yves Bissouma, who put in a performance evocative of former Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembélé.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Bissouma played what was undoubtedly his best game for Spurs, and he was magnificent. Every touch of the ball was lightning fast, and every turn was as graceful as a ballerina. He played free of any restraints and was so composed in every moment.

With each press, Brentford aimed to dispossess him, but very few prevailed. He was unpressable, and with each ball fired into his feet, he was able to half-turn around a Brentford player and spray a pass into James Maddison or Destiny Udogie.

Bissouma was almost faultless in the game and earned himself the Man of the Match award. Despite playing 90 minutes of high-intensity football, he hardly put a foot wrong, and his pass accuracy reflected this, with 92% of his passes reaching their destination (Sofa Score).

Bissouma was a dynamo in midfield with 138 touches, the highest amount from either team and the rest of the premier league this weekend (Squawka). It was a truly stunning performance.

Although Bissouma only started 10 games under Antonio Conte, he has now become Ange Postecoglou’s, starting No. 8. Postecoglou has grown to be a huge admirer of Bissoumas play style, and he has been extremely complimentary of him.

Postecoglou has said: “He’s got bags of energy, you know when he’s around and it’s great. He’s got a great personality.”

He added: “He’s a very, very good footballer. I’m looking forward to working with him. I think he can play a big part for us” (Football.London).

From the pre-season games and the masterclass that he delivered against Brentford, it is clear that Bissouma will be the regular starter in the Postecoglou midfield. 

Could Bissouma be the next Mousa Dembele?

Bissouma has quite a unique playstyle that is very reminiscent of a former Spurs midfielder, Mousa Dembélé. Both of these players played off to the left-hand side with another midfielder to their right and an attacking No. 10 in front of them.

This is not the only common denominator between these two. Both have a unique speed on the half-turn that is guarded by their extreme strength. This agility, blended with their strength, makes them an opponent’s nightmare.

Both of these players were essential cogs in the system in which they worked. They were the keystones that held the team in place and formed the path ahead. Playing around the press is the ignition of any attack on goal, and both of these players are that spark that lights the fire.

When Dembélé arrived at Spurs, he received a similar amount of game time as Bissouma did in his first season. This, however, did not dishearten him, and he went on to play 250 games for Spurs (Fotmob).

Dembélé was admired by not just Spurs fans but midfielders past and present. Spurs fans can only hope for a similar story with Bissouma.

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Last season, the U17 and U18 to the finals of the Premier League cups. Spurs went on to lift both of these trophies with superb performances in the finals.

Despite the success of the younger age groups, the U21s did not do as well and were relegated on the final day of the season. Although they had a good run in 2023, it was not enough to keep them up, and the U21s seemed to face a season in the PL2 Division Two.

However, the U21s were saved by a late format change, which meant they no longer faced relegation and instead would resume their run in the PL2 Division One. Spurs confirmed that “for the new campaign, there will be one division made up of the 26 clubs with Category One Academies, with participating teams divided into five pots based on performances over the past three seasons”.(Spurs)

The Spurs squad this season is still very young, with most players far below 21 years of age. Nevertheless, most played in the PL2 last year and know what it takes to play at this level. The squad will likely have support from some of the older academy players and graduates, such as Alfie Devine, Dane Scarlett, and the recently signed Ashley Phillips if any of them remain at the club rather than being loaned out. 

Credit: Ollie Watkins (@watkinsstudio)

However, these players will only be used if they are necessary for the squad’s benefit as they will most likely feature in some senior games throughout the season. Some of the high-level prospects can be seen here.

With the arrival of Ange Postecoglou, not only did a new philosophy for the club arrive, but so did a new academy director. Simon Davies will take up this role and will be in charge of coherency between the senior squad and the academy, something that was visibly lacking under Antonio Conte’s tenure.

Davies joined Spurs in 2022 as Head of Methodology for the Academy after his stint as an assistant coach for Vincent Company at RSC Anderlecht. With this recent promotion, Davies is one of the most influential figures at the club and the development of the youth cannot be understated.

First three games:

The U21s will play their first match away against Manchester City on August 12. This will be a huge test for the youngsters, as Man City have won the PL2 three seasons running, and they don’t plan on slowing down. This will be a particularly tough game for Spurs, but a win could give the academy some momentum heading into the season.

Spurs’ next two games are against Newcastle and Derby. Newcastle are a newly promoted side in the PL2 and in the season prior they finished 8th. The new PL2 format change has also benefited Newcastle as they are now in the academy top flight, but this blessing could also be a curse as their academy squads may not be up to scratch yet.

The final game of Spurs’ first three is Derby and this will be by far the most trouble-free game. Derby had a horrendous 2022/23 campaign, with just one point coming from 20 games. In their last five games of the season, they conceded 20 goals and scored just four.

North London derby:

The North London derby is away on March 8th. In the most recent derby, Spurs took home three points when they beat Arsenal 2-1. They did, however, have a helping hand from seasoned professional Lucas Moura, who scored early on.

There is only one North London derby in the league this season, as you only play each team once unless you meet in the playoffs. This fixture is always contentious and will be a very close and thrilling game. The U21’s North London derbies are largely representative of the senior games, where form holds little weight as it is always a game fought with emotion and passion.

Final three games:

Spurs’ run to the end of the regular season is favourable, playing two out of the three games at home. If Spurs are in a playoff position, this is a perfect way to round off the regular season matches. 

In the first match out of the final three, Spurs take on Reading at home. Last season, Reading’s academy was in Category Two after being moved down from Category One due to their transition to a new training group at Bearwood Park. (Reading). 

This meant Reading faced a slightly lower standard of opponent, and now that they are back in category one, the shift up to the teams they will face this season could mean they will struggle. Not only this, they have a thin senior squad, and many of the older academy prospects will play for the senior squad, meaning the academy misses out on talent. 

In the penultimate game of the season, Spurs will take on Wolverhampton Rovers at home. Last season, Wolves finished one spot ahead of Spurs and therefore survived what was perceived as the “drop”.

The last time the two sides met, the points were shared as the game was drawn 1-1. The senior manager of Wolves, Julen Lopetegui, has just left the club, and the effects of this are yet to be seen, but it could force the academy to make a stylistic change.

In the final match of the season, Spurs will face Fulham away from home. Last season, Fulham were immense in the PL2. By the end of the season, they sat fifth in the table with an incredible 41 points. This game will undoubtedly be tough for Spurs, especially since it is away. Ideally, Spurs will already be in a playoff spot, but this match could be a high-pressure end to the season.

Play-offs:

If Spurs were to make the playoffs, it would be a 16-team play-off with single ties played until a final. Much of the current squad played in the U18 and U17 Premier League Cup-winning teams, and this experience will hopefully prevail in the new play-off format.

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Maddison’s signing could be a revolutionary turning point for Spurs. Since the departure of Christian Eriksen in January 2020, Spurs have lacked a creative attacking midfielder (No.10). This has left them without an engine in midfield, and against opponents that sit back, Spurs have struggled.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: James Maddison poses as he signs for Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on June 28, 2023 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Maddison will be the dynamo that Spurs have so desperately craved; his elegance and ability on the ball will allow the Lilywhites to thrive against teams with a low block. Maddison has been a star for Leicester in recent seasons, culminating in his transfer to Spurs.

Despite Leicester being relegated, Maddison was still effective as ever – he was there, shining light in a tunnel of complete darkness. Maddison had a successful campaign in the league, where he scored 10 goals and picked up nine assists (Sofa Score).

Maddison played most of the season as a central attacking midfielder. However, he is incredibly well-versed and has played on both flanks for England and for Leicester. This utility could be essential for Ange Postecoglou when he finds his ideal starting XI. 

For Spurs, he is exactly what they need. His arrival in N17 is one that has united fans, and this has been a rarity in recent seasons. Not only that, but his play style is flattering to the eye, and he will excite the fans with his dynamic and forward-thinking nature. We saw this at Leiscter with Maddison and Barnes being the driving force behind their attack.

Postecoglou could use Maddison in Matt O’Riley role

Maddison will most likely play where Matt O’Riley did for Celtic last season. As the No. 8 on the right-hand side has the most attacking responsibility, this role will be the best-suited position for Maddison.

He will be instructed to pick up the ball from the inverted full-backs and drive at the heart of the opposition’s defences. This perfectly encapsulates his talents, and he will thrive doing so.

Maddison will also be required to join the front three in the press to make it an imposing front four. Maddison did only make 16 ball recoveries in the opponent’s half last season. However, he made 81 tackles and 40 interceptions throughout the season (Football Transfers).

Where he lacked in direct pressing, he made up for it elsewhere. This is not to say that Postecoglou couldn’t mould him into a pressing midfielder, as he did with O’Riley at Celtic.

Not only will Maddison impact the press and Spurs’ play in possession, he will also be a dead-ball specialist.

Spurs have longed for a free-kick artist in recent years, and when Spurs have been awarded free-kicks at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, you often hear groaning and muttering about its inevitable clash against the wall.

Maddison will now fill this void, as he is one of the finest free-kick takers in the league.

Last season, Maddison scored two free-kick goals; he delivered these beauties against Brentford and Nottingham Forest (Sofa Score).

Dean Henderson stood still and watched the ball soar in as he was deceived by Maddison’s free-kick. The stunning goal ended up at the far post despite most players opting for a curling effort towards the near post. This ability to place the ball on either side of the keeper gives Maddison an extra-special element of deception.

An added bonus that comes with the purchase of Maddison is that he is a homegrown player. Spurs have been teetering on the borderline for this in recent seasons, and Maddison will help keep Spurs over the eight-homegrown player threshold that is set by the Premier League (Premier League).

Maddison could end up being a bargain for only £40 million, but he will have to adapt to a Postecoglou system, which does differ from how he played at Leicester.

There is no doubt that Postecoglou wouldn’t have completed this deal if he didn’t believe he could fit the bill. If Maddison can steer clear of injury, Spurs could have a special talent on their hands and a player that complements the free-flowing attacking style the squad will play next season.

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In 2005, Levy appointed a special talent with an incredible vision for the future and a comprehensive understanding of economics. Before joining Spurs, Paul Barber had previously worked for the English Football Association (FA) and modernised its marketing and profit intake. 

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St. Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)

Barber was made the first-ever marketing director for the FA, and throughout his time, he enhanced his skills in football economics. He also took on the role of managing where the FA Cup and Community Shield would be played while Wembley’s restoration was being constructed.

Barber was the perfect candidate for the role of Executive Director and was given the reins of the commercial operations of the club. This was a similar job to what he had at the FA, but on a more extensive basis (Tottenham Hotspur).

In 2005, Spurs were starting their return to challenging for European football, and they needed multiple streams of revenue to do this.

Spurs and Barber did just this, and in the 2006/7 season, Spurs had two new sponsors debut. Puma was to be the kit sponsor, and the gambling brand Mansion would be the primary shirt sponsor (Tottenham Hotspur).

Barber guaranteed Spurs some fantastic deals with multiple companies but his work may have flown under the radar in this role due to its limited impact on the football aspect of the club.

Nevertheless, Barber was technically savvy in his understanding of the game, and by 2009, he had outgrown his position. Barbers would then look for a new chapter in a higher-ranking position. 

Paul Barber could be Daniel Levy’s biggest mistake

Barber’s next place of work was in Canada, where he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Whitecaps. At the time, the club was just starting out as a new franchise, and Barber was the perfect man to lead them into the future.

Using his skills in forming and closing deals that he obtained at Spurs and the FA he was able to secure a place for the White Caps in the MLS just two years after its formation.

Not only did Barber secure them divisional football, but he also oversaw their move to their renovated home, BC Place (Vancouver White Caps). 

Barber resigned after two prosperous years in Vancouver, where he oversaw their establishment and helped craft their future. He then ventured back to Europe and arrived in Brighton in May 2012.

As the CEO, his presence created an instant impact, and Brighton finished fourth in the championship, this was a vast improvement on their 10th-place finish in the previous season.

Since then, Brighton have come on leaps and bounds, with improvement in almost every season since his arrival. Their pioneering transfer policy has transformed the club and pushed them into the limelight. When Barber joined Brighton, there was a shift in the way they did business.

Instead of signing big names or former stars, they looked into analytics to find the best young players for their system.

The ‘Money Ball’ system that Barber implemented worked flawlessly for Brighton, and slowly but surely they built a squad that challenged year after year in the championship. In 2017, Brighton gained promotion into the Premier League, and they haven’t looked back since.

Once promoted, Brighton struggled for the first three seasons, but the appointment of Graham Potter changed everything. Brighton rapidly started to climb the table, and in 2021/22, they broke into the top ten.

One of Barber’s many talents is planning ahead and adapting. In the summer of 2022, Brighton lost one of their brightest stars in Bissouma. This didn’t faze Barber or Brighton, as they brought in Moises Caicedo. What was meant to be a replacement turned out to be a full-fledged star who had offers upwards of £60 million in the transfer window (Fabrizio Romano).

Brighton also lost their manager in September and, once again, Barber had a replacement lined up, leading to Roberto De Zerbi being appointed.

De Zerbi has not only kept Brighton at a high level, but he has also improved them, playing even better, more attacking football than the season prior. Brighton had a stellar season and qualified for the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.

There is no coincidence that Brighton’s spectacular rise from the Championship all the way to Europe came after Barber’s arrival.

The man has not only changed the way Brighton is run but also how other teams in Europe do their business. His work for the last 17 years has gone largely unnoticed, and he has finally received his flowers. In December 2022, he was awarded an OBE.

There is no doubt that Spurs made a harrowing mistake with the management of Barber, they had one of the best football brains at their disposal and let him walk away.

Nevertheless, Barber has gone on to do great things in the world of football, but the frustration that Spurs had this hidden gem and didn’t utilise him is frustrating, especially after the dynasty he has built at Brighton.

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The frustration has come mainly from the lack of cohesion between the academy and the first team. In recent years bridging the gap between the U23s and the first-team squad has never been harder

The 2022/23 season has been a whirlwind for the academy, with two Premier League cups lifted and some potential talents making their mark.

The U18 and U17 academy squads were captained by Luca Gunter, and these age groups excelled, coming 5th in the U18 Premier League South (Premier League), alongside both the U17 and U18 Premier League cups. Both finals were thrilling to watch and displayed all of the talents in these squads.

However, the U23 squad had a disappointing season and they went into the last game needing a win and results elsewhere to favour them staying in the league. Despite Spurs’ win against West Ham, they finished the day in the relegation zone.

This was a crushing blow as it would disrupt the player pathway for all the U18s as they would have to compete in a league of lesser quality at the U23 level.

Nevertheless, it looks like the academy league system is set to change, which means Spurs will not go down. They will adopt a single-tier league system without relegation or promotion (Football.London).

The academy is currently very strong, and there are some talents working their way up the club. Some prospects could make their Premier League debuts under Ange Postecoglou.

Here are some of the future talents that Spurs have climbing the ranks:

Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Alfie Devine – 18

Alfie Devine has risen through the ranks at Spurs and is the club’s youngest goalscorer. Earlier in the season, he signed a five-year deal (Tottenham Hotspur). 

Throughout the season, the attacking midfielder has been travelling with the first-team squad but he has only played one minute for them.

However, he has played a crucial role in the U23 squad. In the season gone by, he played 17 games for the U23s, where he scored twice and picked up three assists (Transfermarkt).

Devine has also represented England in the Under-20 World Cup. He started in all of England’s games and played an important role as the No.10 in the squad. In the four games they played, Devine scored twice and assisted England teammate Bashir Humphreys (SofaScore). 

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Mikey Moore – 15

On June 19, Mikey Moore committed his future to Spurs, meaning the 15-year-old will be at Spurs until 2026 (Fabrizio Romano). Moore is a future star in the making and has already featured for the U18s and the U23s. 

Moore has had a stellar season and has performed fantastically for the youth squads. He has seven goal contributions in 10 games for the U18s in the Premier League South this year (Transfermarkt). This is on top of his outstanding performances for the U16 squad. 

He is comfortable playing in any attacking position but is at his best playing on the left-hand side. He has been a mainstay in the England U16 squad and has scored in 2 of his last 3 games (Livesport)

Despite his age, we will be hearing a lot about Moore’s endeavours in the coming years and hopefully, we will see him making his first team debut in the near future. 

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Jamie Donley – 18

Jamie Donley has led the line for the academy this year. He has represented the U18s and the U23s throughout the season. Not only did Donley play as a striker, but he has filled numerous positions in an injury-riddled squad.

Donely has been a key figure in the academy’s output this season. For the U18s, he had nine goal contributions in only six games. This impressive return was not necessarily mirrored for the U23s, with five-goal contributions in 21 games (Transfermarkt). However, for many of these, he was forced into alternative positions due to squad injuries.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 26: Will Lankshear of Spurs during the UEFA Youth League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sporting CP at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 26, 2022 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Will Lankshear – 18

Will Lankshear has largely played for the U18 squad; however, he has made appearances for the U21s in the league and in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored against Sporting Lisbon (Transfermarkt).

In the U18 Premier League South, he scored four goals in five games. This impressive goal return was cut short when he injured his knee in February. This injury required surgery, and it has kept him from playing ever since (Football.London).

We will likely see more of Lankshear in the coming season where he will feature regularly for the U21s. He was in great form before his injury and hopefully, he can reach those heights of form again. 

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Matthew Craig and Rio Kyerematen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 30, 2023 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Matthew Craig – 20

Matthew Craig has been a regular starter for the U23 and his presence at the base of the midfield has been fantastic. The 20-year-old can play anywhere across the midfield and made his debut on the final day of the season against Leeds. Despite only playing 13 minutes, this was a momentous day for the future star.

Craig has been incredibly important for the U23s this year. He has assisted five goals in the Premier League 2 this year (Transfermarkt). Not only has he contributed with his play but he has also captained the side on numerous occasions

It is looking increasingly more likely that Craig will sign a new deal for Spurs(Alasdair Gold). This will be another important extension for the academy. 

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Oliver Irow of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the U18 Premier League Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur U18 and Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 08, 2022 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Oliver Irow – 17

Oliver Irow has enjoyed an incredibly successful second half of the season. Despite having a slow start to the season, Irow has turned a corner and has become one of the most exciting prospects in the academy.

Irow has mainly played on the left side this season; however, he is versatile and can play anywhere in the front three. After a slow start to the season, Irow picked up fantastic form starting in game week 13.

He has scored six goals in the last five games (Transfermarkt) – not only did he achieve in the league but in the cup final he had a remarkable game. 

In the U17 Cup final Irow was spectacular. The front three of Moore, Donley and Irow were deadly and Irow opened the scoring for Spurs despite slipping while taking his shot.

In the second half, Spurs were firing on all cylinders, and Irow then had a chance for his second goal when Donley gave him a 1 v 1 with the keeper. Irow was never going to miss it and he fired near post past the Nottingham Forest Keeper. (Tottenham Hotspur).

TELFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Alfie Dorrington of Tottenham Hotspur U21 runs past Nathan Fraser of Wolves during Premier League 2 match between Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 AND Tottenham Hotspur U21 at New Bucks Head Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Telford, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Alfie Dorrington – 18

Alfie Dorrington has been one of the most senior defenders in the academy this season. He has played across both the U18 and U21 squads and has been selected consistently in both. He made 16 appearances for the U18s in the league, and he played in 10 games in Premier League 2 (Transfermarkt). 

Alfie is not only a dominant centre-back but also a very capable ball carrier, and he has shown this throughout the season. In the U18 Premier Cup final, he was imposing, but his distribution was pinpoint.

Dorrington could be selected to go on the pre-season tour as he is one of the most experienced academy players, and Spurs look likely to have an overhaul in defence.

ALCOCHETE, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 13: Luca Gunter of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the UEFA Youth League match between Sporting CP and Tottenham Hotspur at Academia Cristiano Ronaldo – Sporting CP on September 13, 2022 in Alcochete, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Luca Gunter – 18

Luca Gunter arrived at Spurs at the age of 12. Now 18, he has been a leader for the academy this season. He has captained the U18s and started nearly every game for them.

Luca has not just been an inspiring presence but also a standout player; he has five clean sheets in the league and one in the Uefa Youth League (Transfermarkt). 

Gunter lifted two trophies for the Spurs this season in back-to-back Premier Cup finals. The impressive achievements don’t stop there as Gunter was awarded a contract that lasts until 2025 (Tottenham Hotspur). 

Gunter will likely play for the U21s next season in the new Premier League 2 format. There is no doubt that we will see Gunter on the team sheet for the first team squad in the future.

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When the Tottenham Hotspur stadium opened in April 2019, the result of years of design and construction had finally been revealed. The 62,300-seat venue was ready for matches and for fans to return to N17.

Image: @snapshotspurs

The centrepiece was the South Stand, formally known as Park Lane. This 17,500-seat wall was set to be the beating heart of the new stadium and due to it being a single-tier stand, the developers wanted it to be a “wall of sound.” (Populous). 

The club has encouraged the use of tifos (stadium visual displays), and the club have produced three of their own for the most momentous games.

For the first champions league game at the new stadium on April 17, 2019, the words ‘to dare is to do’ were plastered along the south stand by fans holding up pieces of card.

The next one came in the 3-0 win over Arsenal in May 2022, three years after the first. The atmosphere needed to be electric and the fans delivered, with every fan playing their role in keeping the volume constant.

After the game, Garry Neville exclaimed, “That atmosphere, I’ve not seen in a stadium in this country” (Sky Sports).

The last club-arranged tifo was done to mark Harry Kane becoming the all-time leading goal scorer for Spurs. ‘Harry’ was the word of choice to be displayed on the South Stand, and every fan held their card high and sang “he’s one of our own” when he walked onto the pitch.

THFC Flags are looking to bring the atmopshere

These, however, have not been the only tifos that Spurs fans have seen in recent years. THFC Flags are a fan-led organisation that was set up in March 2022 in the hope of lifting the atmosphere at the stadium even more. Their goal was to create displays that the fans design and pay for.

Within 7 months, they had arranged for there to be a tifo for the Sporting Lisbon match in the Champions League. This was a must-win game, and they felt that it would be a great occasion to have a fan-led tifo. The tifo read “THFC” with the club emblem in the middle.

This was paid for by the fans and Rapper AJ Tracey, who is also a big Spurs fan. There was no funding from the club, as they wanted to “keep it very separate. So it makes sure that we can be fan-led”.

This was an important aspect of the organisation, as it was an outlet for the fans and not a portal for the club’s messages.

THFC Flags told The Spurs Web that “it showed that fans can just crack on and do something, and they will have an impact”. This has worked as a catalyst for the atmosphere at the games.

The south stand is now engulfed with flags for every game that THFC Flags organises behind the scenes. THFC flags told us that the whole operation usually has “about a couple of people handing flags out. And then there’ll be roughly 30 people holding flags”.

The first home game this season will be against Manchester United on August 19. THFC Flags are currently collecting the funds so there can be a tifo to make the arrival of Postacoglou a special moment. It will be a card tifo that reads: ‘Welcome to N17’.

THFC Flags are working hard to keep this going and reach the four-week deadline set by the manufacturers. They have told Spurs Web, “Yes, we are on track so far.” Most of the money to fund the tifos and flags comes from donations on their site from fans.

When asked what the plans are for the rest of the season, THFC Flags explained: “We’ll get more flags. We’ll probably try for more tifos as well. But I think the big thing for us is trying to get more monthly donors. Because that gives us the flexibility to do stuff at a quicker pace.”

Fans have been asking for a surfer tifo; this is a tifo that is a solid construct rather than individual cards. This would be passed around the south stand instead of being a still-motion display. THFC Flags have noted this and now have a surfer coming –“this time a proper surfer.”

The atmosphere for the first home game will have to be fantastic to welcome Postacoglu. Getting the manager to form a relationship with the fans is a must, and hopefully, a stunning tifo will do just that.

You can check out THFC Flags here.

Image: @snapshotspurs

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Dembélé arrived at White Hart Lane in 2012 and, shortly after, took the league by storm. Within four games, he had cemented his place as a starter, and went on to continue this run of form, ending the season with 28 starts (Fotmob).

Throughout his first season, Spurs saw glimmers of a special talent with the perfect attributes to dominate the central areas of any game. Despite only getting one goal contribution (Fotmob) Dembélé would cement himself in the starting lineup for the next season.

Spurs quickly realised that he didn’t have to get goals or assists to affect the game. His best work would be playing out of the press and marching Spurs up the pitch. 

Dembélé would become Spurs’ unsung hero for the next couple of seasons. Dominating the middle of the park, slowly bringing spurs up the pitch and up the table. 

When Mauricio Pochettino arrived in 2014/15, Dembélé played the least amount of games he ever had for Spurs – only starting in 10 games (Fotmob).

However, once Pochettino witnessed his excellence, he fell back into contention, starting 27 games in the 2015/16 season. Spurs would finish third that season, their highest finish since 1989/90 (TransferMarkt).

The Pochettino era marked the rise of Spurs, getting them back into title contention, and the youthful squad would play dazzling football. In the 2016/17 season, Harry Kane led the line, the Belgium wall secured the goal, and Dembélé commanded the midfield. 

This squad played fantastic football, and Dembélé shined his brightest. When Spurs played United, he took on four players and came out the other side unscathed, creating an iconic photo that encapsulates the player he was.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

When Kyle Walker was asked about that squad, he told (Sky Sports): “Mousa Dembélé, he was probably the best player I have seen play football.”

The high praise for Dembélé does not stop there, and when (GOAL) asked Kieran Trippier who the best player he has played with is, to no surprise he replied: “Mousa Dembélé when I was at Tottenham.”

Dembélé was a player like no other, he could create a spark from nothing. When he picked up the ball from the centre-backs, you knew something was going to happen.

You waited in anticipation of someone being embarrassed. His skill alone elevated him; once combined with his strength, he was unbeatable.

He had a unique balance, which went against his size and stature. He was lean and powerful, yet he went past defenders like a figure skater. In 2016/17, Spurs finished second in the Premier League, for the first time in over 50 years (Transfermarkt)

After that incredible season, Dembélé started to play less and less as injuries clouded his game. In the next three seasons, Dembélé would miss 29 games through a mixture of injuries (Transfermarkt).

His age had finally caught up to him, and in 2019, he left Spurs. He joined Guangzhou City in China for a reported fee of £11 million (Sky Sports).

Could Mousa Dembele have become a world-beater?

It’s a shame Spurs received Dembélé at 28, as he was plagued by injuries by the time he left in 2019. Pochettino claimed: “We always told him that if we had taken him at 18 or 19 years old, he would have become one of the best players in the world. I would have loved to have taken him on at 18.” (Sky Sports).

To describe Mousa Dembélé can’t simply be done with words, but a tank with the elegance of a ballerina is the closest we can get.

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In the season gone by, Spurs conceded 63 goals – this was simply not the standard for any team looking to get into Europe. Spurs finished with over 60 goals scored and conceded. The last team to do this was also Spurs in the 2007/08 season (BBC).

(Photo by ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images)

The blame cannot solely lie with the formation, as Antonio Conte’s teams have historically been defensively strong in the shape used at Spurs. During his time at Chelsea in 2016/17, they conceded 33 goals, a far better defensive record than Spurs this year (Fotmob).

The players in Tottenham’s defence have been heavily criticised over the last three seasons, yet little has changed. Since Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld left Spurs, the defence has been consistently weak.

The rebuild under Ange Postecoglou will see the shift to a 433 formation. This does not currently suit the Spurs defence, and it will lead to a number of outgoings and some new talent coming to Hotspur Way.

One outgoing could be Eric Dier (Fabrizio Romano). He has been a regular starter in Spurs’ defence since José Mourinho decided he would be best suited as a centre-back. Since the position change, Dier has been inconsistent in his performances, with this year by far being his worst season in Lilywhite.

Another likely exit will be Davison Sanchez, who has also had a disappointing season. The 27-year-old has only featured in 18 Premier League games (Fotmob).

In each one, he received extensive criticism for his underwhelming performances. Against Bournemouth, he came on for an injured Clement Lenglet, and he was booed off after only 23 minutes.

Ivan Perišić could be a victim of the rebuild under Postecoglou. Perišić has had a mixed season where he was Spurs’ best creator with 8 assists in the premier league (Fotmob), yet his defending let him down on numerous occasions. Due to this, it’s unlikely that he will be used as a left-back, and therefore he could be sold.

For Ryan Sessengon, it looks like his time is up. Last season, we saw him lose his spot to Perišić, and he then struggled with injuries for a large majority of the season.

When Sessengon was purchased from Fulham, it looked like we had a future star on our hands, but unfortunately, his light has burned out and he could be replaced by another young wingback, Destiny Udogie.

Japhet Tanganga could look for a move this summer. Tanganga has not received the game time he would like, and when he has played, he has looked rusty. We saw this in the 4-1 loss to Leicester, where Leicester ran rings around the Spurs backline.

Hugo Lloris will most likely leave Spurs in this transfer window. The club captain has made 447 appearances for Spurs and, despite his poor form of late, will go down as a Spurs legend.

Due to the extensive list of outgoings for Spurs this summer, Postecoglou will have to reinforce the backline.

Christian Romero looks like the obvious starter at centre-back; he will most likely be supported by Pedro Porro and Udogie on the flanks. If Postecoglou looks for a more conservative model, he will favour Emerson Royal on the right-hand side.

One transfer that looks to be gaining traction and could be completed very soon is David Raya (Fabrizio Romano). The Brentford keeper had a stellar season and he could be the heir to Lloris’s throne.

Options at the back – Starting with Aymeric Laporte

The spot Spurs will have to reinforce is the left centre-back. Over the years, Spurs have just patched over this position due to the rare and costly nature of a left-footed centre-back. Nevertheless, we will have to invest this year if we want a firm backbone for Postecoglou’s rebuild.

A great option would be Aymeric Laporte. The Manchester City centre-back hasn’t featured as much as he would have liked this season due to the arrival of Manuel Akanji and the form of Nathan Ake.

Man City are working hard to purchase Josko Gvardiol (Fabrizio Romano), which would likely see the end of Laporte’s tenure at Man City (Sport.ES).

Laporte would be a perfect signing for Spurs, as he is an elite-level defender who has shown clear leadership for the Spanish national team. Where he lacks pace, Romero could make up for it. With these two in the Spurs defence, Postecoglou could have a formidable duo.

Pau Torres has been forever linked with Spurs (Football Transfers), with constant transfer sagas across different windows. Right now would be the perfect time to cash in on him as his contract expires next year. However, he could be tempted by his former manager, Unai Emery, at Aston Villa.

A younger and cheaper alternative could be Roger Ibanez. The 24-year-old defender has thrived at Roma under Mourihno.

Despite his age, he has started in 32 games, putting in consistent performances. One issue is that he is right-footed but nevertheless, he has played most of his games on the left side.

No matter what the choice, Spurs will have to invest. One can only hope that Levy does this properly instead of papering over the cracks that have been apparent since the departure of the Belgium wall of Vertonghen and Alderweireld.

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During Antonio Conte’s tenure at Spurs, we saw a rigid 343 being used on a regular basis.

With the two wingbacks operating in the wider areas, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur sat in the pocket. This formation became rigid after Bentancur ruptured his ACL, as he was the dynamo allowing Spurs to play out of the press.

Nevertheless, we start the season with Postecoglou, a dynamic manager who has a completely different philosophy from Conte’s. Postecoglou’s preferred formation is a 4-3-3, with a midfield consisting of a holding midfielder (No. 6) and two advanced midfielders (No. 8s.)

The No. 6 typically receives the ball deep and delivers passes to the full-backs or sharp inside passes to the two No. 8’s. At Celtic, Callum McGregor played this role perfectly. He was a trusted regular starter, and Postecoglou rewarded him with the captain’s armband.

At Spurs, there are multiple suitors for this role; one of the more overlooked choices would be Yves Bissouma. Bissouma was not necessarily used in this way at Spurs due to Conte’s philosophy and injuries.

However, he did play this role at Brighton. Against Spurs, he did this and led Brighton to a 1-0 victory, where he shone brighter than every player on the pitch. With his unique skill set, he was able to carve through the Spurs press. Postecoglou can only hope he can replicate this for Spurs next season.

Another option is Oliver Skipp; the young Spurs academy prospect could line up well in the No. 6 role. Despite his age, Skipp has plenty of first-team experience and has filled in for Bentancur since his injury.

The academy graduate has impressed both Jose Mourinho and Conte. Against West Ham and Chelsea, Skipp showed promise in playing this role due to his unpressable presence in those games.

At Celtic, Reo Hatate played this role, and he dominated the left-hand side for them. He was the more defensive No. 8 and dropped in next to McGregor when out of possession.

Hatate could be an option for Spurs, but this role will suit Bentancur as he can drive with the ball in possession, and his defensive qualities will shine when Spurs do not have possession.

One player that might suffer as a result of this system is Hojbjerg – none of the midfield roles particularly complement his style of play. Nevertheless, he will most likely start the season as the deeper No. 8 or No. 6 due to Bentancur’s injury.

The other No. 8 has a far more complex role, which was previously carried out by Matt O’Riley. During the press, O’Riley would push up next to the striker, therefore making a four-man press. Meanwhile,  Hatate picks up the deepest midfielder.

Spurs don’t have a clear choice for this position, which will be an area they look to strengthen in the market.

Tanguy Ndombele and Giovanni Lo Celso are out on loan but are scheduled to return to Hotspur Way. Both could potentially take on this role; however, no recent manager has opted to keep them at the club, and it appears likely that they will both leave.

Another option would be the young talent, Gabriel Veiga. Despite only being 22 years old, he broke into the first team and has cemented his spot ever since.

He has played a variety of positions but almost always off the right-hand side, typically picking the ball up on the halfway line and driving goalward. 

His perfect blend of elegance and speed has allowed him to torment defenders in La Liga, picking up 14 G/A for a side that only just survived the drop (Sofascore)

Veiga would be a tricky player to pry off Celta Vigo due to his being a “one-club man”. He does have a release clause in his contract, but it is a rather dear €40 million (via Fabrizio Romano).

It is highly unlikely that Levy would consider paying this much, but as a second option, it could be fruitful for Spurs.

A less expensive option could be Bristol City’s Alex Scott. The young lad from Bristol has not only impressed viewers of the championship but also Pep Guardiola after a stunning FA Cup performance. Scotts’ talents were further recognised when he was named The EFL young player of the Season. 

Scott’s elegance on the ball and his pressing ability would fit perfectly in Postecoglou’s system as an attacking No. 8. Not only do his qualities shine, but he is also an avid Spurs fan. 

James Maddison has been the clear choice for many Spurs fans, and it seems the board shares this opinion.

With Leicester’s relegation, there has never been a better time to pull the trigger on his purchase. It seems he will leave Leicester, but Spurs face competition from Newcastle (Via Fabrizio Romano)

The Spurs midfield will need some restructuring and an influx of money, but Postecoglou faced a similar problem at Celtic. Nevertheless, he was able to forge a midfield that dominated the league within a season of his arrival.

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

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