There is no denying that Spurs could have and should have made new signings. However, the introduction of Luke Amos on the opening day provides some hope. The club won’t necessarily be doomed by its lack of signings. In fact, the absence of big named stars allows younger players to get involved.

Luke Amos and Why Spurs Miss New Signings Less

Luke Amos: What Can he Bring?

Luke Amos has spent the last two seasons on loan in the Football League. He was quite impressive at Stevenage in League Two. During his career, he has played as a full-back as well as in a deep midfield position. It is this midfield position that he has taken up. His attributes suit the role, with great energy and desire to give his all. In terms of technical ability, he has decent passing and quick feet. During his time at Southend and Stevenage, he has to work on his physicality a little to meet the robust nature of the Football League.

In an exclusive interview with The Comet, he revealed an inner sense of drive and determination to improve himself as a player. He said: “I’m miles off in terms of where I want to be – but in terms of this being an education to better myself then it’s been great.” If there’s anything that a young player needs to succeed it is that humble, self-aware nature. Rather than self-inflated worth, this player clearly understands what he needs to do in order to reach the next level.

Pochettino has reaffirmed his stance with younger players. He gave a great response to an interviewer after the AC Milan pre-season match. He said: “After four years, in my fifth year, you think I’m going to be scared to play him [Luke Amos]?”. This was in response to the fear that Amos may be called upon due to a fatigued post-World-Cup star-studded squad.

Time

Now 21, time is really of the essence for Amos. Players mature at different rates. Take Ryan Mason for example, who physically matured quite late and hence his introduction into the first team was also quite late. It is important to have the patience to develop these players within their own measured time. However, there also comes a point where a player needs to escape the youth academy and reserve sides. Amos needes senior football now. Whether that is at Spurs or another club, something does need to happen. This cameo off the bench for the first Premier League match of the season seems to suggest the former.

Indeed, Pochettino was initially very quick to promote young players. This has slowed as quality talents such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Davinson Sanchez nail down first team places. However, with the absence of signings in the summer, some space has opened up for the club’s youngsters. Oliver Skipp is another player who impressed in pre-season. He is just 17-years-old with great tenacity and technical ability to work in midfield. He is perhaps behind Amos in the pecking order in terms of age. Nevertheless, both these two midfielders may get some game time in various competitions this season.

Use Young Players or Face Losing Them

If Tottenham continues to develop young starlets, they really must use them.  The likes of Josh Onomah and Marcus Edwards have promised so much, yet management hasn’t given them a proper chance to impress. The club lost a lot of talent in the summer, including Reo Griffiths and Keanon Bennetts. These are top quality young players that have sought out other big clubs to seize their chance of breaking through. Again, these are the kind of players that go on to become top players; the kind of players that Spurs can’t afford to buy, or can’t attract because of their current wage structure.

So, whilst fans are baying for new signings, this could be detrimental to the promotion of young players. The reason for so many promising academy players either signing with new clubs or fizzling out on loan to a Football League club is that there is no room for them in the squad. Halting the spending this summer does create that room for youngsters. However, they will still need more than just ten minutes of glory at the end of a dead end match. Pochettino and his staff must do more to promote from within and to properly champion the young players.

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