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Two years ago we took a look into Spurs' academy and brought you the top twenty kids on Spurs' books. You can see for yourself just how much we may or may not know what we're talking about. But as anyone who's ever watched prospects in action, gauging just how well they'll develop into professional athletes is an incredibly difficult game, with a myriad factors contributing to their possible success or failure.
Starting this week, we're going to take another look at some of Tottenham's brightest youngsters. In ranking these players, we've tried to strike the right balance between first team-readiness, how high the players' ceilings seem to be, and how likely it is that they'll reach that ceiling. But it's inevitably an imperfect science.
But before we take you to your top fifteen (yes, we're much lazier this time around too) prospects, here's a count-down of honorable mentions who just missed the cut.
25. Cy Goddard
Cy Goddard is an 18 year-old attacking midfielder who can play in the hole or wide. He's a two-footed player with excellent technique. Although born in London, he is half-Japanese and has thus far opted to play his international football with the Blue Samurai after being scouted by Japan's coaches. His decision not to play in the England setup speaks volumes for his intelligence, and if he can bring that intelligence to the football pitch he'll go far.
24. Filip Lesniak
A Slovakian youth international, this former attacking midfielder has been recreated into a defensive destroyer. Despite only turning 19 this past May, he is a regular for Spurs U-21 side. Handed a professional contract just last summer, the club seems to expect more from Lesniak.
23. Luke McGee
The 19 year-old keeper mans the net for Spurs U-21s. With Jordan Archer and Brad Friedel both departing, and Hugo Lloris possibly (please god no) following them out the door, the youngster is the next keeper in line and could find himself on the bench this season or, if we do a really bad job signing a new goalkeeper this summer, maybe even starting a game or two. I have zero idea if he's good enough to play a single first team minute for Spurs, but the fact that he exists and we are running out of keepers bumps him up the list.
22. Dominic Ball
The defensive midfielder/center back was snapped up by the Academy a few years ago after he was released by Watford, and he's been a key fixture in our Academy since. After playing most of his youth career with Northern Ireland, he defected last year to the England setup and has since made six appearances for the U-20 side. Tim Sherwood named him to the bench three times last season, and he seemed on the verge of a possible breakthrough. However, a loan to Cambridge this January saw him only appear twice for the League Two side and at almost 20 years-old, this next season could be make or break for him.
21. Luke Amos
The central midfielder normally operates as the more defensive one in the pivot, but is comfortable going both ways. He also sometimes gets made to play in defense because his age group is not blessed with a ton of fullback options. He got rave reviews as a 15 year old, disappeared off the radar for like two years, and now finds himself in the thick of our U-18 and FA Youth Cup sides. He also went three years between England youth caps as a 15 year old and his recent return to the England U-18s. I have no idea where he went, but he seems to be back and doing really well.
20. Shayon Harrison
But for the ignorance of my colleagues, Shayon Harrison would be higher on this list. The 17 year old was our second top scorer for the U-18s and managed 12 goals in only 10 starts (12 sub), including four against Chelsea and three against Arsenal. Capable of playing in any of the front four positions, he has a good eye for goal, excellent hold up ability, and offers really intelligent incisive passing into the box. He is listed as a striker, but I'm not sure his future lies there as his other attributes outshine his goalscoring, despite being a capable finisher.
19. Shaq Coulthirst
Shaq came in 11 places higher two years ago, and now he finds himself slumming it with the also-rans. Why has he fallen so far? Back then, he was 18 and lighting it up for Spurs youth teams and tearing up the NextGen tournament. Fast forward and he's now had mediocre loans at Leyton Orient, Torquay United, Southend United, and York City. He'll be 21 in November and he still hasn't hit his stride. However, he still might be more useful than Adebayor and Soldado, and if Spurs decide to keep him around it's entirely possible he makes a few Europa appearances this season. The next Harry Kane? Almost certainly not. But stranger things have happened.
18. Connor Ogilvie
The 19 year-old left back/center back has already featured on the bench for Spurs in Europa without making his debut. He features regularly for Spurs U-21s, and he gets forward well and scores a fair bit for a defender. He was rewarded with a new contract last summer and he is also very ginger. If he gets a chance somewhere, he'll probably be an EPL-caliber player. I'm not sure I see him getting that chance at Spurs, however.
17. Anthony Georgiou
The English-born Cypriot-international winger had a huge year for the U-18s this season. Scoring 8 goals from wide areas, he proved devastating with his pace, trickery, and eye for goal. Capable on either flank, he was a key member of Spurs FA Youth Cup run this year. At only 17, he's already made appearances for the U-21 side. He may have missed the cut, but if he keeps developing like he is, he could have a big future. I have high hopes.
16. Nathan Oduwa
The wide attacker has featured for England's U-17 and U-18 sides. He's devastating with the ball at his feet, he's used to destroying opposition fullbacks and coming inside to score. But last year he was handed the number 10 role for England U-18s and the skills that made him so dangerous out wide proved equally suited for his new role. Still only 19, Oduwa is already a regular member of the U-21 side. He spent the second half of last season on loan to Luton Town in League Two where he made ten appearances in his first stint away from the club. Despite not setting the world alight, he did fine and will learn from the experience. Much more is expected from Oduwa.
You've seen who missed the cut, how do you think the rest of the prospects will shake out? Tune in over the next few weeks as we count down to number one.