The Slovak midfielder faces a make or break couple of weeks for his Tottenham future, with his contract set to expire this summer; but he has a teammate’s progress to inspire him.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their fifth goal to complete his hat trick with Filip Lesniak
It was an unexpected academy graduate who saw first team action at the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s outstanding Premier League season. While the likes of Marcus Edwards and Kyle-Walker Peters had been oft discussed as talents on the cusp of making waves in the Premier League, 21-year-old Slovakian midfielder Filip Lesniak emerged from the bench against Leicester City for his first senior Spurs appearance, and managed to get an assist to his name as he helped Harry Kane run riot.
And it looks like it was the perfect time for the Under-21 international to make his presence felt, with his contract set to expire this summer. After joining the North Londoners in 2012, Lesniak has pushed through the age groups, and saw minimal game time during a loan with Slovan Liberec earlier this season, but he will have impressed manager Mauricio Pochettino against last season’s Premier League champions despite only getting a few minutes.
Tottenham’s Filip Lesniak in action against Chelsea’s Fankaty Dabo (R)
Following that late impact at the King Power Stadium, Lesniak was on the bench in the last day win over Hull City, and is now involved in the squad for the post-season friendly in Hong Kong. Sky Sports are reporting that the club will use the time in the Asia to assess Lesniak and decide whether he should be offered a new contract, and if so, likely a supporting role in the first team squad. At present there is no offer forthcoming, and there is interest in Lesniak from the Championship clubs as well as top-flight clubs in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Russia and Greece.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action with Southampton’s Steven Davis
Clearly, Lesniak will be hoping to make a statement to his manager. With Harry Winks out injured and likely to struggle to make the new season, the Far East tour is a big opportunity for someone like Lesniak to catch Pochettino’s eye. It is cruel irony that it was Winks who benefitted from such a chance this time last year, as the Londoner played his way into the Argentine’s thoughts with impressive performances in the summer.
The Slovak demonstrated the same desire and tenacity that has endeared Winks to Spurs fans during his Leicester cameo, more naturally comfortable in a defensive role than his teammate. While he hasn’t shown the attacking quality of Winks during his academy years, Pochettino has shown that young players who work hard can find roles, and be moulded into options, within his squads.
Lesniak knows that if he can stand out in training this week and during Friday’s friendly with Kitchee SC, he could well be afforded a new contract, and the same opportunities Winks was given over the last 10 months.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane with Filip Lesniak
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