Competition have youth contributors that Tottenham do not

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal and his hattrick goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Typically when a season does not turn out as a team or fans would hope you go looking for silver linings. One such silver lining is often the outstanding contribution from some young up-and-comers, which leaves the fans jubilant with expectation. While many of the teams’ Spurs are competing with can say that, Tottenham can not, as the Lilywhites are a bit behind in the youth development department.

Tottenham is an older team

When looking at players who actually play, Tottenham has a rather old team. According to transfermarkt.com Tottenham has played the fifth oldest team in the Premier League this season, at an average age of 27.

Three of the four teams older than Tottenham are in the bottom half in Newcastle (27.1), Burnley (28.3), and Crystal Palace (28.8). All three teams flirted with the drop at some point during the season. Interestingly, the other team – West Ham (27.7) is likely to finish above Tottenham.

Looking younger than Tottenham, Liverpool is the sixth oldest team at 26.8, then comes West Brom (26.6) and Sheffield (26.5). That means five of the oldest teams have also been the worst this season, with two being relegated already.

Liverpool, West Ham, and Tottenham seem to be the exceptions and as we have seen, the Reds have had serious cracks in their armor this season. And we all know the Hammers have been playing above their weight. The point is, most often older teams struggle in the Premier League, especially late in games.

Youth does not mean you are guaranteed to win, as Fulham is the second youngest team at 25.3 and is likely going to be relegated. However, the entire top four is all younger than Tottenham and more importantly, they have very young players making major contributions, something the Spurs are lacking.

We may hear lip service from Daniel Levy and the board about building the proper way from the ground up, but in truth, all of the Spurs competition have more young players contributing.

Tottenham not getting first-team contributions from youth

Yes, one day Jose Mourinho will read off the names of the kids he gave a chance to at Tottenham to show he plays youth. The truth, however, is that the Spurs are not playing the kids. It is true, Jose Mourinho gave minutes to six different players 20-years-old or younger. However at 235 total minutes an average of 40 per person, that time is quite limited.

In truth, if take away Harvey Whites 98 minutes, that leaves only 135 minutes or 27.4 minutes per player. While it was nice to see Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett it is hard to say that they, or Jack Clarke, or Marcel Lavinier, or Nile John contributed in any way this season. Outside the 1 goal for Devine and surely some good practice competition, none are really making a difference. Juxtapose Tottenham’s lack of impact youth with the teams around them. ‘

In fact, all the teams competing with Tottenham have contributing players younger than any player the Spurs played against Leeds on Sunday. Further, as we looked across the rest of the top half, Tottenham is one of only two teams not getting a big lift from someone 21 or younger. Here we look at the youth for the top half, starting with the Champions elect.