When it came to handling Tottenham Hotspur’s next generation, Mauricio Pochettino had his own way of doing things.
Rather than farming out the likes of Harry Winks and Kyle Walker-Peters for a series of lower league loan spells, the Spurs boss preferred to keep his most exciting young talent within arms’ reach.
Depending on who you ask that tactic was either inspired – allowing Winks and co to develop their skills during regular training sessions with some of the finest talent in the Premier League – or misguided, denying those stuck in the sterilised world of academy football the chance to get used to the rigours of the ‘men’s game’.
A lot has changed at Spurs since Pochettino’s emotional departure in late 2019 – and one of the biggest differences surrounds the nature of the way Tottenham approach the development of their young prospects.
Ryan Sessegnon, Oliver Skipp, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jack Clarke were all handed loan spells last season.
And while results were decidedly mixed, Skipp in particular has talked glowingly about what regular first-team minutes can do for a young player’s self-confidence and skill-set.
Does Kion Etete have a big future at Tottenham?
With two goals and an assist in his past three matches for Northampton Town, we’d imagine 19-year-old Kion Etete would be similarly enthusiastic when asked about the benefits of a short-term spell in the EFL.
“Kion’s performances speak for themselves at the moment,” Cobblers teammate Sam Hoskins told the Northampton Chronicle.
“Even when he wasn’t scoring like he has been in the last few games, he’s always put 110 per cent into the game for the team.
“You can’t fault anything he’s doing at the minute.
“I don’t want to big him up too much but, for his age, he’s obviously very good and he’s got a big future ahead of him.”
Etete announced himself to the Northampton faithful in style with two emphatic finishes during the EFL Cup triumph over second-tier Coventry City in August.
And, even during a subsequent lean spell in front of goal, the teenager’s growing confidence and maturity was clear to see.
“It was great to see him get another goal (against Tranmere) and I think his finish shows he’s learning because it was very similar to the chance he had against Mansfield,” added Northampton manager Jon Brady.
“To play like he did against an experienced player (Tranmere’s 39-year-old centre-back Peter Clarke) shows he’s progressing and learning – and that’s important.”
When Etete returns to his parent club next season, he should have about 30 first-team appearances under his belt and, hopefully, a few more goals too.
Whether he can follow Skipp all the way into the first-team picture remains to be seen.
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