Tottenham Youngsters Impress in PL2 Win

The 4-0 win Tottenham’s under-21 side pulled off against Reading on Monday featured several Academy products in line for more first team action in the seasons to come.

Though Tottenham struggled at the beginning of the Premier League 2 season, the ship righted itself in recent months. The team has only suffered two losses since the middle of November.

Monday’s win kept with that trend, with the youngsters starting off hot and keeping Reading contained to earn a dominant win.

With Mauricio Pochettino electing to field a strong starting XI in the weekend’s FA Cup match against Millwall, virtually the full compliment of youngsters were available to under-21 coach Ugo Ehiogu.

On loan Espanyol prospect Pau Lopez started in goal for Spurs, while American youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers featured at centre-back.

While the defense held its own against Reading, it was the midfield and attack that truly shined. Tottenham matchday squad regular Josh Onomah started the match, scoring in the 31 minute to add to the goal 18-year-old forward Ryan Loft scored earlier. Full-back Jaden Brown scored another two minutes later to give Spurs a decisive lead at the break.

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Among the standout players of that match was Shilow Tracey. Now 18, Tracey joined Tottenham last January from nonleague team Ebbfleet. From such humble beginnings, he’s found a way to rise up the ranks rapidly. This was his 17th appearance for the under-21s, and his goal in the 53rd minute was his fourth over that stretch.

The win was the Tottenham under-21’s sixth of the season and earned them enough points to secure sole possession of sixth place in the table. With just two matches left in the season, it’s unlikely they catch rivals Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of them.

Progress is progress, though, and wins like these will instill confidence in the squad that will help them as they push on to chances with the senior squad.

Onomah has long been linked with a more prominent role in Pochettino’s first team. Carter-Vickers earned his first professional starts this season, looking confident beyond his years in a mobile centre-back role.

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Next on the list of youngsters set for senior debuts appears to be Marcus Edwards, who also started here. The 18-year-old wunderkind winger has been likened before to the likes of Lionel Messi. Expect to see him in Spurs’ pre-season camp along with the likes of striker Kazaih Sterling and right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.