Tottenham Hotspur’s academy compared with Arsenal’s after Aston Villa loss
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has drawn comparisons between Arsenal and Spurs’ academy after the team’s brutal 2-0 loss in the Premier League against Aston Villa.
Tottenham have been highly inconsistent after a good start to the PL season gave belief to many fans that the team could challenge for the league title. But they are currently fifth in the table with 30 points from 17 league games.
Among the pick of our worst results has been a draw against Brentford last month and the recent 2-0 loss at home against the Villans. Amidst this poor form, there have been calls to make big signings – in defence, midfield, the goalkeeping department, and even in attack.
But O’Hara has pointed out that Spurs’ academy is just not living up to that of the competition. Arsenal have Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe playing a huge role in their Premier League title charge.
Manchester United have Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga up front, while Chelsea employ Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, and Trevoh Chalobah. What about Spurs?
Spurs need some help from the academy
Just Harry Kane, who came through the academy around a decade back, and Japhet Tanganga, who can’t get any meaningful playing time under manager Antonio Conte.
O’Hara exclusively told talkSPORT (h/t Mirror):
“Where are the young players coming through [at Tottenham]? Where’s our Saka, where’s our [Phil] Foden, where’s Tottenham’s [Marcus] Rashford?. I mean, we talk about spending money, but hold on a minute, where’s the academy? Tottenham is meant to have one of the best academies in the world.”
“It’s fantastic, brilliant coaches, where are those players? Where’s the player saving us £150m, Arsenal have got Saka, Smith Rowe. Arsenal have brought through Saka, there’s a £150m player that they’ve got there, that they’ve produced for nothing.”
Harry Winks is on loan at Sampdoria and struggling with fitness issues there. Oliver Skipp isn’t good enough right now to be a regular starter for us, and Kane is approaching his 30s.
It’s true that we need signings, but it is also correct that our academy hasn’t been of much help recently. It is also important for the manager to be able to give chances and take risks when it comes to trusting young players.
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Conte isn’t at clubs for very long and he is used to immediate success, at least in domestic competitions. While there is uncertainty surrounding the former Inter Milan’s future at N17, it is hard to see academy players like Dane Scarlett and Troy Parott or any of them being trusted at the big stage.
