Tottenham Hotspur fans might want to get quietly excited about the progress of Souleymane Coulibaly.
Spurs youngster Souleymane Coulibaly bagged two goals for a club XI at the weekend against Northampton Town.
If there was a time for him to do so, this was certainly it. With Spurs entering a ‘new beginning’ under new boss Andre Villas-Boas, the youngster will be pleased that he has able to show just what he can do.
Coulibaly is a 17-year-old striker from the Ivory Coast, who has inevitably been compared to Didier Drogba.
If he could have the success in his career that Drogba enjoyed at Chelsea, then Spurs fans will be very happy.
Spurs made a huge coup in securing his £2 million signature last summer, fighting off interest from Real Madrid no less, after his performances at the FIFA under-17 World Cup had attracted global interest and recognition.
He scored an incredible nine goals in four matches at the tournament – which included four against Denmark and three against Brazil.
Last season he went into Tottenham’s NextGen Series squad, scoring against eventual champions Inter Milan.
It seems Andre Villas-Boas likes the look of him, bringing him on as substitute against Stevenage last month – a game in which several first team players featured including debutant and goalscorer Gylfi Sigurdsson.
He featured alongside John Bostock against Northampton Town this weekend, in a comfortable 3-1 win for Spurs.
What he has done as a result of seizing his chance, is secure more opportunities. Having proven comfortable against lower league opposition, he will hope to do the same at a higher level.
With Spurs’ striking options still confused, the timing of his goals is perfect.
If he continues to impress his manager, he may just get him thinking. While at 17 he is still young, very much so- there is a case for Tottenham including him as an emergency or a surprise option next season.
The fact the club’s first team were playing against Watford – winning 1-0 thanks to Defoe goal- probably says a lot about the player’s current involvement, but he can have done himself no harm with his performance.
He would be the club’s secret weapon, few outside of the Lane have yet heard of him – although this surely will not last for long.
What he has done, is show AVB that if he is called upon to display what he can do, he is poised and ready.
He could offer the club an exciting option if not next season, then in the years ahead.
What are your hopes for Coulibaly at Spurs?
image: © OliverN5
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