The long-awaited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw it’s first ever fixture held inside the ground two years ago today, as Tottenham U18s beat Southampton U18s 3-1 in front of 29,000 people.
J’Neil Bennett scored the first ever goal in the new stadium before Harvey White doubled the advantage from the penalty spot and Dilan Markanday wrapped up the win after Kornelius Hansen pulled one back for the visitors.
The first-ever game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
๐๏ธ ๐๐ฌ๐ค ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ค ๐ฉ๐ค๐๐๐ฎ#THFC โช๏ธ #COYS pic.twitter.com/I8bGCmTTs7
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 24, 2021
The test event turned out to be a huge success, as supporters gave rave reviews of the stadium (as they have been ever since) and the hot prospects of the academy announced themselves to Spurs fans across the world – but a lot can change in two years, so where are the players who started in that game now?
Joshua Oluwayemi – Still at club
After spending the first half of the season on loan at National League side Maidenhead United, 20-year-old keeper now finds himself fighting for a contract extension at Spurs with his up at the end of the season.
Jubril Okedina – On loan at Cambridge United
Okedina has impressed while at Cambridge United, playing nine times and becoming a regular starter at the club. At 20-years-old, there is a big chance that should he continue to impress, next season there could be a bottom-half of the table Championship side coming in for him on loan or a top-half League One side.
This had to be made after that performance on Saturday and recent performances too! @jubril_okedina @CambridgeUtdFC pic.twitter.com/eUbNHr2oOb
— charlie (@charliecufc) March 22, 2021
Dennis Cirkin – Still at club
Cirkin has a bright future ahead of him in North London and could potentially be apart of the next matchday squad due to an injury for Ben Davies.
Oliver Skipp – On loan at Norwich City
Oliver Skipp is very, very good at football. pic.twitter.com/kBmyosdi48
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 20, 2021
#thfc's Oliver Skipp is very good at football๐ #ncfc
โ๏ธ 32 starts
โฝ๏ธ 1 goal
๐ฏ 87% pass comp
โ๏ธ 2.1 tackles won p/g
๐ช๐ป 5.8 duels won p/g
โ 34 interceptions pic.twitter.com/Ml5g5Y946u— Canary Cast (@CastCanary) February 24, 2021
What a player. Way too good for the Championship, but in many ways this loan was needed for Oliver Skipp, who hopefully will return to Spurs next year and be a regular starter. Norwich fans love him though, and should the Canaries get promoted to the Premier League, it might be possible that the midfielder remains there for a second season.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott – Still at club
#thfc Malachi Walcottโs loan at Dundee United has come to a premature end. The talented CBโs loan has lasted less than 2 matches after picking up a severe hamstring tendon injury. Really unfortunate as heโs just come back from a bad knee injury. Get well soon @MalachiWalcott5 ๐ pic.twitter.com/OYtckGolZT
— Lilywhite Rose (@Lilywhite_Rose) March 18, 2021
After making his debut for the club in the Champions League last season against RB Leipzig in the knockout stages, Malachi Fagan-Walcott had high expectations on his shoulders. We have all been disappointed because of the injuries that have plagued his season, which has ultimately terminated his loan spell at Dundee.
Brooklyn Lyons-Foster – Still at club
Brooklyn Lyons-Foster has been a regular for the U23s this season, paying 16 games in the Premier League 2, scoring one goal and grabbing two assists. A versatile defender but ultimately lacking in match experience, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was sold or loaned out next season.
Dilan Markanday – Still at club
Another player who may find himself out on loan next season is winger Dilan Markanday who has scored just once in the Premier League 2 this season, despite making 16 appearances. The 19-year-old has plenty of talent, but his final product needs work.
Harvey White – On loan at Portsmouth
โจ A ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง professional goal for Harvey White on his ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง start#Pompey pic.twitter.com/B7r0ZHRWIx
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) February 24, 2021
After making his debut and impressing in the Europa League earlier this season, Harvey White finds himself on-loan at Portsmouth in League One. It took him a while to get going there, but thanks to a game-winning goal against Oxford United, starts are beginning to come more regularly for the promising midfielder.
Rayan Clarke – Free agent
It appears that Rayan Clarke remains a free agent after being released from Spurs – despite having scored a goal while on trial at Sunderland. No official confirmation that Clarke had moved to Sunderland was announced, and Clarke remains without a club.
Armando Shashoua ย – Atletico Baleares
Both Armando Shashoua and his older brother Samuel Shashoua have ended up in Spain after leaving Spurs with one year between their exits, and Armando has had an impact with Atletico Baleares, where he has scored twice in 14 games – with most of his appearances coming from the bench.
J’Neil Bennett – Still at club
J’Neil Bennett could be another player set to make a breakthrough into the first team in the next year or so – but at the moment he needs to hit a good patch of form heading into the final period of the season. In 15 Premier League 2 games so far, the forward has scored just two goals and set up one, suggesting that his final third game needs improvement – so a loan move could be a possibility.