Tottenham Hotspur set off for their tour of Asia on Monday evening and took with them some young talents who will be looking to impress Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs first head to Japan where they will take on J1 League team Vissel Kobe on Saturday, July 27. The North London club then have two more matches scheduled against K-League XI and then, the big one, Bayern Munich.
Ange Postecoglou’s team have already played two pre-season games in which some of the club’s top academy talents were given some big minutes.
Tottenham will be hoping to make use of their academy over the coming years and look to build upon the club’s U21s being crowned Premier League 2 champions last season.
Several members of that title-winning squad have been taken on tour and here are the six to keep an eye on.
Will Lankshear
Will Lankshear was the star of Tottenham U21’s title-winning campaign as he was named the Player of the Season.
The 19-year-old netted an impressive 18 times in 19 Premier League 2 appearances as he fired the young Lilywhites to glory.
In August 2022, Spurs shelled out £2 million to land the teenager from Sheffield United, beating off competition from other top-flight clubs.
He made his first appearance for the first team in the game against Hearts and even marked it with a goal, whilst also providing a real presence up top. Lankshear has since impressed Postecoglou in training.
Given Tottenham’s need for a new number nine, the striker has certainly been presented with a big opportunity this pre-season.
Luca Gunter
Luca Gunter made himself Tottenham U21’s first-choice shot-stopper last season producing many impressive displays throughout the campaign.
He made a particular impression in the final game of the season with his showing against Sunderland at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earning him praise from Spurs legend Pat Jennings.
The 19-year-old made 15 appearances last season and kept two clean sheets, with his performances also earned him a call-up to the England U19s squad.
Gunter was given 45 minutes against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday and kept a clean sheet, with his distribution proving to be his standout feature.
He was also called into action in the latter stages of the game producing a wonderful save to deny the west Londoners a late equaliser.
Ashley Phillips
Ashley Phillips is coming off the back of an impressive loan spell at Plymouth Argyle last season in which the teenager became a key member of the side that helped keep Argyle in the Championship.
Many of the club’s supporters were full of praise for the defender’s performances across the campaign as he made 18 league appearances after joining on loan back in January.
The England U19 international certainly looks to have been a great acquisition from Tottenham who paid £3 million to land him last summer.
Even at just 19, the defender already looks well accustomed to senior football, which given his 6″3 frame, it’s no wonder.
Postecoglou’s squad requires one more central defender and Phillips certainly looks ready to step up if the Australian coach decides to prevent another loan move.
Mikey Moore
Mikey Moore is considered to be the jewel of Tottenham’s academy and is quickly earning himself a reputation as one of the country’s best young talents.
Moore followed up an impressive season with Spurs’ U21s with some big moments at this summer’s U17 Euros as the winger scored four goals in four matches as England reached the quarter-finals.
The 16-year-old has already been given first-team minutes by Postecoglou last season as Moore made his debut against Manchester City and then was brought on against Sheffield United.
He’s already made quite an impression during pre-season with a goal and assist in games against Hearts and QPR, along with his confidence to drive with the ball.
Alfie Devine
Like Phillips, Alfie Devine also spent the second half of last season on loan Plymouth.
However, Devine’s loan spell wasn’t too successful as he struggled to nail down a regular spot, making just nine starts.
The midfielder initially started the season on loan in League One at Port Vale where he made a big impression, as he helped the Valiants to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
Devine featured in both of Spurs’ opening two friendlies and he will be hoping for more opportunities on tour, having looked pretty impressive in both matches.
Tyrese Hall
Tyrese Hall was another star of Tottenham U21’s title-winning team as the midfielder made 31 appearances in all competitions last season.
Playing in central midfield, he still managed to produce eight goals and seven assists in total, which saw him rewarded with a first-team call-up against Manchester City.
Hall featured mostly as a holding midfielder although his versatility also means he is confident of playing as a box-to-box and even in more advanced roles in midfield.
His future at the club looked a little uncertain at one point last season until he committed to signing a new contract with Spurs until 2029.
The 18-year-old will now be competing with the club’s new signing Archie Gray for a spot in Postecoglou’s midfield, which is starting to look stacked with young talent.
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