Antonio Conte is backing a number of players for ‘brilliant’ futures at Tottenham Hotspur, including the likes of Emerson Royal and Djed Spence.
Conte needs a big result tonight as Tottenham head across London to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa has heaped pressure on Conte, who once again doesn’t sound all that committed to a long-term future at Spurs.
Still, Conte can see that Tottenham may well have some quality players in the years to come, no matter who is managing them.
Speaking to Tottenham’s official website ahead of facing Palace, Conte highlighted a number of players who have ‘brilliant’ futures.
Conte was initially speaking about winger Bryan Gil, who started in place of the injured Dejan Kulusevski against Villa.
The Italian went on to name Oliver Skipp, Pape Matar Sarr, Djed Spence, Ryan Sessegnon, Emerson Royal and Harvey White as players who can develop envy more.
“He is one of the young players that we are working on, a really good prospect, players who have a brilliant future,” said Conte on Gil. “I’m talking Gil, Skippy, Pape Sarr, Spence, Sessegnon, also, Emerson is only 23, Harvey White, players who are growing,” said Conte.
Conte’s seven names may have mixed futures at Tottenham
It’s great to hear Conte talking about Tottenham’s future. He’s a manager so associated with winning in the here and now that praising some of the younger players is a great sign.
Still, it’s reasonable to suggest that the seven players mentioned – for all of their potential – may have mixed futures at Tottenham.
Gil has talent but he doesn’t seem to be ready for the Premier League from a physical standpoint and we wouldn’t be surprised if a return to Spain materialises one day.
Skipp has proven himself to be a solid, hard-working midfielder but the challenge is to go further than that.
Harry Winks was never able to make that next step and ended up being loaned out to Sampdoria, so Skipp must develop into much more.
Sarr showed huge potential in France with Metz but has played just 10 minutes for Tottenham. It’s quite frankly too soon to tell what the future holds for him.
Spence looked to be the solution to Tottenham’s right wing back situation when he arrived from Middlesbrough over the summer.
Yet with just five minutes of league action this season, it’s taking the 22-year-old a little longer to make an impact than expected.
We can see Spence becoming a good Premier League wing back, but whether that’s enough to make him Tottenham’s first choice remains to be seen.
Sessegnon is still only 22 but can’t live on potential forever. To be honest, in almost four years as a Tottenham player, we’re yet to see him take the leap to become a consistent first-team star.
Destiny Udogie will be joining up with Tottenham for next season – can Sessegnon keep him out?
Emerson has tried has best to become a wing back for Tottenham but it just hasn’t worked out. The Brazilian may have a great future somewhere, but we can’t see it being with Tottenham.
White is only a year younger than Skipp but has no Premier League experience, so expecting him to emerge into a first-team star feels like a long shot.
There are some stories of hope in there but it feels like a real mixed bag and hardly a crop Conte should be counting on.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
