Spurs U21 coach opens up on the next wave of Hotspur Way talent – Lankshear and Hall

Tottenham’s Under-21 head coach Wayne Burnett has admitted that he is proud of the fact that several of his players have made the step up...

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Tottenham’s Under-21 head coach Wayne Burnett has admitted that he is proud of the fact that several of his players have made the step up to the first team this season.

The Spurs Under-21 side have had a near-flawless campaign, dominating almost every side they came up against this season and being crowned Premier League 2 champions.

Many of their best performers have also had a taste of senior football, with Jamie Donley, Mikey Moore and George Abbott being handed their debuts by Ange Postecoglou while the likes of Yago Santiago, Alfie Dorrington and Tyrese Hall have all made the bench at various times.

When asked about those players making an impact in the first-team set-up, Burnett told Football.London: “Of course [it makes me proud]. It’s not just me but whenever an academy graduate or someone from our academy gets anywhere near our first team it’s such an achievement.

“We’re so proud of it, not just the coaching staff but the whole group of staff that have contributed to the development of that player. When you look at Jamie and Mikey Moore, Tyrese and George and all of them, we’re just so, so proud of them.

“It’s our job to get them ready. It’s our job to make sure that when the opportunity presents itself they’re ready and that’s what we’re striving for on a day-to-day basis.”

Many will expect Will Lanshear to be the next player from the Under-21 set-up to be handed a senior opportunity, with the striker coming off a stellar campaign, where he netted 25 goals in 26 matches across all competitions (Transfermarkt).

Tottenham have a gem on their hands in Will Lankshear

When asked about the centre-forwards exploits, Burnett said: “Credit to him. He had a bad injury towards the end of last year and he’s worked tirelessly. He’s obsessed with scoring goals. Like any good striker they have a want and a willingness to score. He gets upset when he doesn’t score and that’s something he has to overcome and get rid of the disappointment at times.

“But he’s a goalscorer because he wants to get in the frame of the goal. He’s brave and he’s been a decent finisher. You don’t score that many goals out of coincidence. He’s worked tirelessly and he’s got a really nice trait that he’s obsessed with scoring goals.

“I don’t like to label players, and I’m not saying he’s an old-school striker, but he’s a centre-forward who thrives on crosses and balls into the box. He’s got that willingness to run in behind and his hold-up play is getting better.

“He’s still, and he’ll admit this himself, got stuff that he needs to work on for his career, but he’s working and he works every day. You have a player that has an obsession with scoring goals. That helps and I think that he will be judged on how many goals he scores. He’s certainly done that this season.”

Spurs fans also got a glimpse of midfielder Tyrese Hall in the post-season friendly against Newcastle, with the teenager impressing in his 19-minute cameo at Melbourne.

When asked about Hall’s progress over the last 12 months, Burnett responded: “We were careful with his development and when we felt it was the right time for him to step up from the U18s to the U21s. He was playing in the U18s and at times it was easy for him, or easy-ish for him, so we felt it was right for him to move up to the U21s.

“He’s a player that we really like. He moves so well, with and without the ball. He’s got real ability. He can go past people. He glides past people. He’s now started to add some goals and assists to his game, which is important.

“We remind him that he also has to do the other side when we haven’t got the ball, which he’s learning and he’s grasping and he’s wanting to do it. I think with all of these young players, as long as they keep working and striving to get better every day then they will all hopefully get an opportunity somewhere along the line.”

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It does feel like Tottenham might be on the cusp of producing their own golden generation, with many from the current Under-21 and Under-18 set-up being seen as potential first-team prospects.

With Postecoglou showing he is not shy of giving chances to younger players and creating an environment with little to no fear of failure, all things seem to be coming together for a great era of youngsters at the club.

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