With the season having come to a close and Spurs now preparing for the next, one thing that is clear in a summer of uncertainty is whoever becomes the next manager will be given the privilege of having a number of young players in the academy ready for first team minutes at their disposal.
Players like Nile John, Dennis Cirkin and Oliver Skipp have been tipped to make a statement next season, particularly with the opportunity to play in the Europa Conference League, while promising centre-back Maksim Paskotsi has already made his international debut for Estonia at just 18-years-old.
Dane Scarlett’s insane goal against Aston Villa last week. 😍#THFC | @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/XpNgEv9OCH
— thfcreport Academy (@thfcreportAcad) February 26, 2021
One man who has a very bright future ahead of him too is 17-year-old Dane Scarlett, who assisted a Carlos Vinicius goal last season in the Europa League at just 16 years of age, and he has recently been rewarded with a commemorative match ball from his Premier League debut.
Harry Kane sending a shirt over to Dane Scarlett. Absolutely love it! #THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/IDJeu6HIv6
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) May 23, 2021
“It’s clearly been my best season for a while, if not my whole life,” said Scarlett. “In general, it was just a big confidence boost.
“I believe that if you work hard, you will get your rewards.
Gareth Bale and Dane Scarlett. Then and now. 😎 pic.twitter.com/RDS9q2mcCh
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 16, 2021
“We have some brilliant players in the first team, so I continue to look up to them and trust that hopefully my time will come.
“You obviously have to earn the trust and respect of the players and staff when you go up to train at that level but the group has been really good with me – the senior players have put their arms around me and helped me a lot.”
The striker, who can also play out wide on the left, has been compared to the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, two players who made them name at youth level as a striker before being converted to wingers when they eventually broke through, and Scarlett may be given a similar task next season to accommodate him in the squad and help his development.
https://twitter.com/thfcem/status/1364646574958198785?s=20
“I’m feeling good and I’m ready for my next challenges next season. Obviously there is a little break now for the summer but then I’ll be straight back at it. Pre-season is an important time so I’ll stay focused, try to do the right things and look forward to trying to achieve more next season.”