Tottenham’s Shaquile Coulthirst Signs with Peterborough United
The 21-year-old striker who had gone on five loans while a member of Tottenham has joined Peterborough United permanently.
News broke on Peterborough United’s official website that Shaq Coulthirst has agreed on a three-and-a-half year deal with the Posh for an undisclosed fee.
Here’s Shaq Coulthirst on his decision to join Peterborough:
“The manager really demonstrated that he wanted me to sign for the football club and as a player if you feel wanted then it makes the decision easier. Peterborough are a good side, they score lots of goals and I cannot wait to get started.”
“It is a tough decision to leave Tottenham because I have been there a really long time, but I feel it is the right time to make the move and I feel this is the right club to be at,” Coulthirst said.
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Now here’s Posh manager Graham Westley:
“I first saw Shaq when he was on-loan at Southend United and he played in a wide left role, but he had played a lot of his football at Tottenham as a number nine. I used to watch him every week when I was at Stevenage as Tottenham Under-21s play their fixtures there and he had phenomenal pace off the shoulder, a great ability to get in behind and an eye for goal.”
“He was always a player that you felt was very dangerous. He had the potential as a lone striker to get in behind and cause havoc. When at Southend, he played wide and didn’t get as many goals as you would expect because of that. I was always glad he was playing wide when we played against them.”
“He is a sought after player, we are not the only club at the top of our league that have been after him so I am delighted that he has decided that we are the place he wants to join. I think he wants to try and become the next Conor Washington, the next Craig Mackail-Smith, the next Britt Assombalonga and he has all the talent and attributes to fulfill that,” Westley said.
First things first, Shaq Coulthirst should be congratulated on completing this move to help jump-start his footballing career. Secondly, while Tottenham has gotten rid of a striker — a youth academy graduate even — the fact of the matter is this. Even at his best, Coulthirst most likely didn’t impress his youth coaches or Mauricio Pochettino enough, while on loan, to warrant a spot on the team next season.
This is what Coulthirst did while on loan. And the statistics don’t look promising.
Shaquile Coulthirst’s loans (via Transfermarkt):
- Southend United: 25 appearances, 4 goals
- York City: 11 appearances, 2 goals
- Torquay United: 6 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- Leyton Orient: 2 appearances, 1 goal
- Wigan Athletic: 2 appearanecs
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When he was with Tottenham’s Under-21 team, Coulthirst made 35 appearances, scored 17 goals and had four assists. But those numbers look good because he grew up with Tottenham, they know what he was and wasn’t good at.
You’re supposed to do well in your own youth academy before heading on out loan to continue your progress.
Now, while it didn’t work out due to numerous factors: injuries, scheme, surrounding players, coaches even. An environment for a loanee will most likely not be perfect. So you have to make do and when given the chance, you have to produce. Unfortunately Coulthirst couldn’t.
The reality is that the 21-year-old is a late bloomer — he’s still developing. And that’s okay. But, in terms of making Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for next season, or this term, that was a long shot to begin with.
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Had Shaq Coulthirst gotten promoted, his situation would mirror Harry Winks. Maybe one senior appearance, but mostly watching on the bench and playing with the second team.
And with Tottenham wanting to advance further in the FA Cup and Europa League, playing time will be hard to come by. Again, at least Coulthirst isn’t in limbo about his future and joins a good club who will help him grow.
Tottenham can manage with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Nacer Chadli for the time being. If Shayon Harrison continues to develop and does well while on loan — same with Shilow Tracey — Spurs could be set at the striker position.