Dane Scarlett has returned to Tottenham after cutting short his loan spell at Oxford United
Tottenham Hotspur made some adjustments to their squad during the winter transfer window by signing three players. New faces were indeed required after enduring an unprecedented injury situation, and Ange Postecoglou added Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel to his roster.
Following injuries to Timo Werner, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson in quick succession last month, Ange Postecoglou was left with limited options to field in attack in some games. Tel’s timely acquisition on loan from Bayern Munich helped the Australian immediately. Also, the return of Dane Scarlett on loan from Oxford United gave the Spurs boss at least some options to choose from.
Tottenham recalled academy starlet Dane Scarlett on loan from Oxford United after struggling for regular opportunities. Though he showed glimpses of potential and scored four times in 20 appearances, the striker failed to cement a consistent place in Oxford’s XI which prompted his return to White Hart Lane.
Postecoglou opted to keep Scarlett at Spurs and the striker has since made three appearances. The England youth international scored and assisted in the 3-0 win over Swedish side IF Elfsborg in the Europa League in January and bagged an assist against Ipswich Town in the Premier League last weekend.
Addressing the media on Tuesday ahead of Tottenham’s home clash against Manchester City, the 59-year-old tactician revealed how hard Scarlett has been working after his loan spell at Oxford was cut short.
“Yeah, look, he’s [Scarlett] working hard, Dane, like you said, he’s had a couple of difficult loans and that’s part of the process as well for him,” Postecoglou told Football London.
“We were just talking about Djed (Spence), who had three difficult loans, so some of it is just perseverance and keep working hard and waiting for your opportunity.
“He has done well for us. I said when he came back, he wasn’t in the greatest physical condition and he’s working hard on that and hopefully he gets more opportunities.”
The Oxford loan wasn’t the first in Scarlett’s young career. The striker has played for Portsmouth and Ipswich as well, although he could only muster six goals in 52 games combined. So, him failing for a third successive loan spell away from Spurs should be concerning—both for the player and the Hotspur Way chiefs.
Scarlett has had some difficult experiences during his loan spells which is only going to toughen him up. It is great to see Big Ange compare Scarlett’s situation with Djed Spence, who had three difficult loan spells and his career at Spurs appeared over last year. However, Spence has worked hard and proved himself to the gaffer, becoming a regular starter over the last few months.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- “It is time to go…” – Ex-scout thinks Tottenham player whose contract ends in the summer can leave in the January window
- “It’s a possibility…” – Fabrizio Romano gives latest on Tottenham pursuit of £55m forward
- “That is an option for Tottenham…” – Journalist backs Levy to move for defender that was once wanted by Conte at N17
So, Scarlett needs to take a leaf out of Spence’s book and continue to work hard. The young talent from Hillingdon should always keep himself ready, and when the opportunity comes, he should grab it with both hands.
