The young ones: Why Tottenham’s millennials are here to stay

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Imperious. Dele Alli’s performance against Watford was simply imperious. His runs mesmeric, his attitude tenacious and his finish, sublime. Is there anything this man cannot do?

There’s an arrogance to his game which is rare in someone of such tender age. Often, this overconfident swagger can be the downfall of a young professional.

However, in his case, it is harnessed. This is evidenced by his stats. Now, statistics in football can often be used to paint players in a subjective light, both positive and negative (just ask Nicklas Bendtner). Yet, there can be little argument Alli is destined for greatness.

He has, from midfield, scored more league goals (16) than any under-21 player in Europe’s top five leagues. He has also been involved in more goals before turning 21 years of age (40) than David Beckham (12), Steven Gerrard (13) and Frank Lampard (15) combined. It is only a matter of time before our collective English hopes rest on his shoulders, if they are not doing so already.

Still, he may share some of this burden with another young titan of the sport, one Harry Kane.

Both he and Alli have been the recipients of the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons, respectively. It is entirely feasible that one of the Tottenham two-some will win the award for a second time, this season.

In fact, Tottenham hold quite the monopoly on this accolade. A Spurs player has claimed four of the last five awards. The aforementioned duo, Kyle Walker and some lad who has fallen into obscurity. Think his name is something Bale…

It seems the North London side have utilised young talent to devastating affect. Either recruiting astutely from other clubs or from within their own talent pool, Spurs have afforded opportunities to emerging stars and it has reaped rewards. Aside from Alli and Kane, Dier and Rose have become

Aside from Alli and Kane, Dier and Rose have become indispensable to the squad. The likes of Davies, Winks and Onomah are also beginning to place a case for consistent inclusion in first team affairs.

This is not simply a case of one or two players being given game time in a Capital One cup match, it is a youthful epidemic which has provided Tottenham Hotspur with the youngest and arguably most exciting squad in the Premier League.

While we admire the youthful exuberance from afar we must also pay tribute to Mr. Pochettino. A young man himself, in terms of management, it was he who afforded Harry Kane the opportunity in place of the misfiring Roberto Soldado and it was he who brought in the aforementioned wonderkind Dele Alli.

Winks was also beginning to shine under his stewardship before an untimely injury (incidentally, is there ever a timely injury?). In a footballing landscape dominated with absurd transfer fees, it is refreshing to see a club/manager promoting homegrown talent and not attempting to always buy the finished article.

All seems more than well at White Hart Lane. In Pochettino they have one of the most gifted young managers in world football. In Dele Alli they have a frighteningly gifted young man who seems unfazed by the hype surrounding him. In young talent they have a production line which is relentless in its deliverance of quality.

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