The advice Lucas Moura gave to Tottenham academy talent Luca Williams-Barnett back in 2019
Tottenham Hotspur have always been renowned as a club who are willing to provide a platform for academy graduates, with Harry Kane of course among the most notable of names.
Indeed, Spurs had three scorers from their youth ranks during last season’s UEFA Europa League win over Swedish club Elfsborg In January. One of the academy graduates on the scoresheet that night was Mikey Moore, who is currently on a season-long loan at Rangers.
Amidst an injury crisis last season, the Lilywhites’ bench largely comprised of youngsters during European nights. Another academy talent Luca Williams-Barnett actually appeared on the bench three times during Spurs’ Europa League run last term against Galatasaray, AS Roma and Rangers.
The 16-year-old shone for Tottenham’s Under-18s last season, netting 19 goals and registering six assists in just 20 games, also winning goal of the season. He has been promoted to the Under-21s this season and the versatile midfielder has already looked cut above his peers, scoring and assisting in the UEFA Youth League against Villarreal earlier this month. Luca Williams-Barnett has already racked up six goal contributions in four Premier League 2 games thus far.
Lucas Moura’s piece of advice to Luca Williams-Barnett back in 2019
It was only a matter of time before Williams-Barnett made his Tottenham first-team bow. And the dream came true on Wednesday night, when the teenager made his senior debut in the 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round.
The playmaker’s cameo against Doncaster Rovers was brief but he nonetheless became the 900th player to represent the club. It is a legacy number for the 16-year-old, who had replaced Mathys Tel in the 87th minute to rapturous applause from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful.
After coming off the bench to make his senior debut for Tottenham in midweek, an old video has now resurfaced from when Williams-Barnett was given the chance to interview former winger Lucas Moura. Part of an Audi-sponsored video, the north London outfit’s most-recent debutant was granted an opportunity to grill Lucas Moura. Also, when asked for the best advice he could give, Moura told the then 11-year-old Williams-Barnett: (Tottenham Hotspur YouTube channel):
“Never give up, always give your best, every day, every time.
“And for your life, never get tired of doing good things for people. To be a gentleman.”
Williams-Barnet has a bright future ahead of him
The numbers and performances in the youth levels Williams-Barnet has been producing have been impossible to ignore, catching Frank and his coaching staff’s eyes. The fact that everyone around the club rates him extremely highly means that the teenager’s development will be taken utmost care by the gaffer and the officials.
Moura’s piece of advice six years ago should help the English youngster- both on and off the field. Williams-Barnet is a special talent and his opportunities in the first-team will only increase if he continues to put his head down, be humble and work hard every day. Frank has also given him a piece of advice after his first-team debut, which our academy kid must take it to continue his growth.