With an average squad age of 24 years and 295 days, Tottenham boast of being the youngest EPL squad. Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t only gathered the best youngsters, he has turned them into world beaters, and they are not just top 4 favourites again this season, they could as well finally land the big prize.
The quality of a lot of these youngsters belies their tender years as they are always turning in brilliant and matured performances every now and then.
In the uncertain world of football where club loyalty is constantly threatened by the huge fees clubs are willing to sell/buy top players, a couple of these Tottenham whiz kids would command hefty transfer fees and huge buyout clauses in the not so distant future.
Dele Alli
At just 20, Alli has made into the PFA Team of the Year and has become a key cog of Tottenham’s and England’s midfield. The PFA Young Player of the Year for last season surpassed all expectations in what was his debut EPL season having made light work of his transition from League One to top flight football.
In 33 league games, he netted 10 times from his attacking midfield position, and Alli already has 2 goals in 7 Premier League appearances this season. Considering he was worth just £5million following his switch from MK Dons last summer, he is definitely worth times 10 of that already, off the back of one splendid season.
5 more brilliant seasons and we could have the most expensive English player in history in Dele Alli.
Eric Dier
For Dier, versatility isn’t just a virtue, it’s what has kept him on top of the food chain – far from his contemporaries. A defensive midfielder, centre-back and right-back, the former Sporting Lisbon star continues to perform at an optimal level in every of the position since arriving White Hart Lane in 2014.
The £5million arrival has since seen his stocks rise and is now a main member of the Three Lions starting XI at 22. His abilities and comfortability on the ball, with his expertise of freekicks adding a string to his bow make him one of Tottenham’s most prized possession.
As the north London side gave Leicester City a hot pursuit in the title race last season, Dier racked in brilliant and outstanding performances in all his 37 league appearances. He definitely would have a huge buyout clause inserted in his next contract.
Nabil Bentaleb
The heavy competition for playing berths within the elite Tottenham ranks meant the 21-year-old Algerian had to go on loan to Schalke 04 to continue his development.
Bouts of injuries saw the midfielder lose his playing spot last term and was restricted to just 5 league appearances – a far cry from the 26 he had in the previous campaign which is regarded as his breakout season.
That hasn’t stopped the France-born Bentaleb a Tottenham Academy product from establishing himself as a key player in the Bundesliga team. He has made 6 league appearances this term and an outstanding display against Nice in the Europa League is already making Lily-Whites faithful wonder why he was sent on loan.
With 100 touches, Bentaleb won 4 tackles and completed 86 percent of his passes against the French team. Schalke 04 will definitely consider retaining his services, and he won’t come for cheap.