Tottenham Hotspur reportedly wanted to sign England U20 ace Chris Willock once he left North London and Premier League rivals Arsenal.
There has been an influx of young British talent heading abroad in search of game time in recent months. But unlike Ademola Lookman or Jadon Sancho, who have starred at RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, that plan hasn’t worked out too well for Chris Willock.
The highly-rated winger left Arsenal last summer to sign a five-year deal with Benfica last year. But, so far, his only outings in Portugal have been for the B team, with a first team debut still out of his reach.
And, according to A Bola, Willock was informed over the summer that he is not part of Benfica’s first-team plans as it stands.
But the 20-year-old still seems determined to make a success of his time on the continent. A Bola adds that Willock rejected offers to return to England with Watford, Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town because he does not want to give up on his chances at Benfica.
Interestingly, the report adds that the England U20 international even turned down a move to Arsenal’s bitter North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after his contract at the Emirates expired last summer.
And while that saved him plenty of abuse from those of a Gunners persuasion, would Willock have been given more of a chance under Mauricio Pochettino, a coach who has launched the careers of several of England’s key players?
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