‘Top player’: Sky pundit now thinks 18-year-old Tottenham man has a massive future ahead of him

By Ben Evans

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte hasn’t been the most accommodating manager when it comes to giving young players a chance since arriving at the club.

A number of less experienced members of the first team squad have struggled for minutes this season.

Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Sam Saunders has been talking about a player who’s had no such issue this season.

Saunders was part of the team covering the League One clash between Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers.

Starting up front for the south coast side was Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett.

The 18-year-old has been on a season-long loan this season, and had a mixed time at Fratton Park.

He’s played plenty of football for the third-tier side, already making 17 league appearances.

However, he’s found goals hard to come by, and has only scored three times in League One.

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley values Scarlett for more than just his goal scoring.

He recently admitted that he put in the best defensive display he’d ever seen from a number nine.

Saunders has now said that Scarlett is a massive talent, and has a really bright future ahead of him.

Tottenham loanee Scarlett is a serious talent

Speaking ahead of the League One tie shown on Sky Sports (4/12 12:17pm), Saunders said about the Tottenham teenager:  “It’s his first real loan, and young players they come up and down.

“The good thing is he’s going out on this loan and he’s getting lots of minutes, so he’s only going to improve off the back of that.

“We all saw what he did with England in the summer, [he’s a] top player, a good talent, and this loan will do him the world of good.

“He’s still got five goals, he plays most weeks so he must be doing other stuff as well as just scoring.

“As I say I think there’s a real talent there, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the flesh today.”

As Saunders mentioned, Scarlett has been prolific for England’s youth teams.

The teenager helped England’s under-19s win the European Championships, starting the final against Israel.

Conte has failed to give the likes of Bryan Gil, Japhet Tanganga and Pape Matar Sarr meaningful game time this season.

Scarlett being sent on loan has certainly benefitted him more than scrapping for the odd first-team appearance.

The 18-year-old looked overawed in his Europa Conference League runouts last season.

Jumping straight into the first team next season may be tough for Scarlett, and the Championship or a move abroad may beckon.

However, Scarlett is certainly a real talent, and could have a massive future ahead of him at Spurs.