Tottenham U23 midfielder Dilan Markanday signs contract extension

Say whatever you want about Tottenham Hotspur’s business (or lack of) in the transfer window, they’re doing a good job of continuing the assembly line of youth talent. There was another development this morning after Spurs announced that they have extended the contract for U23 attacking midfielder Dilan Markanday through 2022.

There are certain players who in recent years have gotten way more headlines — Oliver Skipp and Harvey White spring immediately to mind — and Markanday has mostly slid under the hype radar in the Tottenham youth ranks. However, he’s a name that frequently pops up among Tottenham Youth Watchers™ as one that could have a very bright future in the game. People who are much smarter and clued in to the Spurs youth squads than me have pegged Markanday as similar in playing style to Marcus Edwards.

Markanday is 19, but is in his second year with the U23s after tearing it up in Spurs’ U18s, which should give you an indication of his ability. Usually deployed either as a CAM or on the right (but most recently as a left back!!), Markanday has only one goal in about 675 minutes of action in Premier League 2. He’s not as close to the first team as Skipp or White, but Spurs also don’t really need another young attacking midfielder at the moment, so it kind of makes sense.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Markanday is probably due for a loan next season, probably to League One or Two, just to get some first team experience. His contract is a short term one, but if he does well he’s probably in line for another one before too long.