Evening Standard
·25 Desember 2024
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·25 Desember 2024
They might not be ready just yet, but there is plenty more talent to follow Mikey Moore’s breakthrough
Tottenham have a rich history of developing young players and the club's hierarchy would always prefer to make stars rather than buy them.
Spurs have focused on signing youth for Ange Postecoglou's first team since the end of last season but also have a number of talented youngsters coming through the academy ranks.
Standard Sport takes a look at three of the brightest talents on Spurs' books.
The goalkeeper is already responsible for one of the moments of the season after scoring a 99th-minute equaliser for loan club Leyton Orient in the FA Cup second round against Oldham, a match which the O's went on to win 2-1 after extra time.
Keeley's greater impact for Orient has, though, been in the other box. Since breaking into the first team in mid-October, he has kept seven clean sheets in 10 League One matches, helping to stabilise the London club after a shaky start to the season.
At 21, he is still a baby in goalkeeper years but the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international looks to have a bright future ahead of him, and could be a future Spurs No1.
Future star? Teenage attacking midfielder Callum Olusesi is very highly-rated at Tottenham
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Mikey Moore's great mate Olusesi, 17, is yet to make his senior debut but has been a regular on the bench during Spurs' recent injury crisis, gaining valuable experience of the first-team environment.
Part of Tottenham's U17 and U18 Premier League Cup double-winning teams of two years ago, Olusesi is a rangy attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, who has built a reputation for excellence in youth circles.
His next step is probably a loan to gain more experience of senior football but he will hope to follow Moore into Postecoglou's first team before very long.
Recently included on Postecoglou's bench during Spurs' mid-winter injury crisis, the 16-year-old centre-back has caught the eye during pre-match warm-ups with his imposing stature.
Hardy may be young but he already looks like a player capable of holding his own in men's football. The teenager, who has captained England at youth level, needs time (and likely some loan spells) before he is ready for Spurs but he already has the makings of a commanding defender, winning plaudits at youth level for his maturity and calmness in and out of possession.