Tottenham’s John McDermott has hailed young defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino with head of coaching and development John McDermott during training
Tottenham Hotspur coach John McDermott has told the Men In Blazers podcast that he thinks Cameron Carter-Vickers is a potential talent for the future at White Hart Lane.
Spurs have been focusing on the development of young players in recent years, with manager Mauricio Pochettino aiding the cause by handing first-team football to young talents.
Harry Kane has emerged as one of the top strikers in Europe having become Pochettino’s talismanic forward, whilst Eric Dier and Dele Alli have both enjoyed rapid progression under Pochettino since signing from Sporting Lisbon and MK Dons respectively.
In-house, Tottenham have a number of prospects coming through. Harry Winks has emerged as a first-team player under Pochettino this season, whilst the likes of Josh Onomah, Kyle Walker-Peters and Marcus Edwards all look to have bright futures ahead of them.
Another talented youngster is centre back Cameron Carter-Vickers, who joined the Spurs academy at the age of just 11, having impressed Tottenham scouts.
The 19-year-old – born in Southend, but an American youth international thanks to father and former NBA player Howard Carter – has played four first-team games for Spurs this season, including an EFL Cup tie away at Liverpool, as he looks to break through in Pochettino’s setup.
With injury concerns over both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, Carter-Vickers could yet feature in the Premier League between now and the end of the season, but even if he doesn’t, he should be a first-team regular in the coming years if he continues to develop.
Now, Tottenham’s Head of Coaching and Player Development John McDermott has spoken to the Men In Blazers podcast about Carter-Vickers, suggesting that he has the raw talent to become a future star.
Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers in action with Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey
McDermott added that whilst his Under-23 side is made weaker by Carter-Vickers being with the first team, he thinks defending against Harry Kane is the ideal challenge for the centre back and his development.
“We’ve got Cameron Carter-Vickers, who I think could be a potential talent,” said McDermott. “He’s still got a lot to do, and hasn’t achieved anything yet, but Cameron has got a lot of the raw ingredients that we’re talking about.”
“Cameron trains regularly with Mauricio, does that mean that our Under-23 side is weaker? Yes. Am I bothered? No, because I’d rather he’s up there trying to kick Harry or trying to defend Harry every day. That’s far more of a developmental challenge than playing in the Under-23’s,” he added.
Do you think Carter-Vickers can become a star at White Hart Lane?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
