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We've talked a lot about Tottenham Hotspur's youth players lately, especially the ones whom have come good for Spurs. Players like Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason, Harry Kane, and even loaned-out academy players like Tom Carroll and Milos Veljkovic have all gotten a lot of attention, and rightly so.
One of the kids we haven't talked much about is Ismael Azzaoui, a 16 year old Belgian wonder-kid whom Spurs quietly signed from Anderlecht this summer and who is currently a member of Spurs' first-year academy team. Azzaoui is already capped for Belgium at the U17 level and has been reportedly impressing the Tottenham academy coaches this season. He's an attacking midfielder who has already been compared by some in the media to both Eden Hazard and Adnan Januzaj.
On Monday night, Spurs' U18 squad defeated Blackburn 4-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge's pitch in the FA Youth Cup. Azzaoui scored a hat trick in the win and looked impressive. And then he posted video footage of his goals on Instagram.
(You'll just have to take our word for it – the second shot goes in.)
Sure, it's U18 level football. We've seen lots of talented U18 players look like world-beaters and then flame out as they progress to senior level football. But based on what I'm hearing, this kid is the real deal and is one to keep an eye on.