The Spurs Under 18 side of 2021/22 competed in the Under 18 Premier League South, the Under 18 Premier League Cup and the FA Youth Cup, as well as in the Under 17 Premier League Cup, which they reached the final of. Stuart Lewis’ side finished in ninth place in the Under 18 Premier League South, while they reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, but were knocked out of the Under 18 Premier League Cup at the group stages. Spurs had quite an inexperienced side for much of the season, many of whom were playing their first full season at Under 18 level, hence the Spurs Under 18 side was mainly made up of first year scholars and schoolboy footballers. However, when you consider this, and also the fact that Spurs still managed to record some impressive results over the course of the season, I think that the whole experience of this season will be invaluable for the first year scholars, going in to next season. Stuart Lewis’ side started the season away at Fulham in the Premier League South, a game that they lost 4-2. However, they recorded some good results during the season, with arguably their best performance coming in the FA Youth Cup, when they won 6-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion, at Hotspur Way.

Other good performances/results include the Spurs Under 18 side impressively winning 5-3 away to West Ham United in the league, a game in which Spurs showed great character in as they were losing 2-0 early on in that match. There was also a 5-1 win for the Spurs Under 18 side in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, against an impressive Ipswich Town side. There were some difficult matches last season, but this is a very talented group of players and the schoolboy footballers who stepped-up, like midfielder Han Willhoft-King, Archie Chaplin, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Tyrese Hall showed real quality and promise. Then there were the first and second year scholars. Forward/CAM Jamie Donley was in excellent form for the Spurs Under 18 side over the course of the season, scoring and assisting a really good number of goals, despite missing two months of the season because of injury. And the whole squad has real quality, and I’m sure that they’ll improve even more during 2022/23. A number of Spurs’ first and second year scholars (it was a Spurs Under 19 side) traveled to the Netherlands, to compete in the end of season Terborg Tournament, in the May of 2022, officially bringing the 2021/22 season to a close. It was a real pleasure to watch the matches that the Spurs Under 18 side were involved in during the season just gone, and I’m already looking forward to the start of the 2022/23 Spurs Academy season.

The squad:

Goalkeepers:

Luca Gunter: England youth international Luca Gunter made 11 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side over the course of 2021/22. A tall and commanding goalkeeper with really good reflexes, the England youth international who previously played for Queens Park Rangers, started a good number of matches for Stuart Lewis’ side in succession. He also made the bench for Spurs’ Under 23 side on occasions throughout the season. Luca Gunter was an ever present for the Spurs Under 18 side in the FA Youth Cup last season, and he was very good for Spurs in that competition, especially in the matches against Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gunter also had a really good game for the Spurs Under 18 side in an Under 18 Premier League Cup game against Stoke City, at Hotspur Way last year, when he kept a clean-sheet. Next season the Enfield born goalkeeper will be in his second year of scholarship with the club (he signed a professional contract with Spurs during the season just gone), and I would imagine that he will start a lot of games for the Spurs Under 18 side, the Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League and maybe even make some appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side, as well.

Adam Hayton: Luton born goalkeeper and second year scholar Adam Hayton made some tremendous saves over the course of the 2021/22 season. He made 12 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, he also made the bench for the Under 23 side on occasions, and he was also part of the Spurs Under 19 side that competed at the Terborg Tournament. The 18 year old who had made some competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during 2020/21, was a regular starter for Stuart Lewis’ side during the first part of the season, before Luca Gunter and Aaron Maguire returned to the squad. The vocal goalkeeper had two brilliant matches against Reading in the Premier League South, and he also had two very good games against Chelsea. While part of the Spurs Under 19 side that competed at the Terborg Tournament, Adam did well again, and he would have one very good game against Belgian side KRC Genk. Adam will officially be part of the Spurs Under 23 side next season, but he will also still be eligible to represent the Under 18 side, and also the Spurs Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League.

Aaron Maguire: From Leytonstone in London, goalkeeper and second year scholar Aaron Maguire (17) is a Republic of Ireland Under 19 international, who has also represented England at youth international level in the past. Maguire is always alert inside his penalty area and he is very capable of making spectacular saves. Aaron made seven competitive appearances (all in the Premier League South) for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, keeping one clean-sheet from those matches. Aaron also started for a Spurs Under 17 side in the final of the 2021/22 Under 17 Premier League Cup against Manchester City, a match that he made a number of impressive saves in. At the end of season Terborg Tournament Maguire started two of the matches for a Spurs Under 19 side, and he had one excellent match for them against Brazilian side Fluminense. Maguire was then called-up for the Republic of Ireland Under 19 side, for two friendly matches with Iceland, in early June. Maguire will officially be part of the Spurs Under 23 squad next season, in 2021/22, but will still be eligible to play for the Under 18 side, and also the Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League.

Defenders:

Will Andiyapan: Wales Under 17 international Will Andiyapan made 17 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22. The versatile defender who can play in central defence or at full-back, was a first year scholar for Spurs during the season just gone. Born in Watford, and previously with Arsenal, Will Andiyapan made the vast majority of his appearances for Stuart Lewis’ side in the Premier League South, where I was impressed with how he defended. Andiyapan reads the game well, has good pace and is a good tackler. He had a very good game in a heavy defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League South early on in the season, and the player who would provide two assists last season, started a lot of matches during the start of the season. Will also made seven appearances for the Wales Under 17 side in 2021/22. He also started the final two Premier League South matches of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side. The 17 year old defender will be a second year scholar with Spurs next season, in 2022/23.

Alfie Dorrington: Enfield born England Under 17 international Alfie Dorrington is a skilful centre-half with real ability on the ball, and he likes to go on surging forward forward runs out of defence. A first year scholar during 2021/22, Alfie Dorrington made an impressive total of 29 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season. Dorrington is very good at making blocks, keeps good positioning during matches and is also good in the air. He scored one goal and provided one assist last season as a first year scholar, and he also played for the Spurs Under 19 side at the end of season Terborg Tournament. Alfie is a footballing centre-half and he showed this over the course of the 2021/22 season. Dorrington made the bench for the Spurs Under 18 side on one occasion in 2021/22, in a Premier League South game against Crystal Palace. Some of the impressive performances that Alfie had last season, includes the two league appearances and wins over West Ham United, the FA Youth Cup third round tie win against Ipswich Town and also an away Premier League South win against Reading. I’m a big fan of Alfie Dorrington, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him make his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 23 side next season.

Jordan Hackett: England Under 18 international Jordan Hackett made 14 competitive appearances (he also featured for the Spurs Under 23 side in pre-season) for the Spurs Under 18 side in the 2021/22 season, as well as making the bench for the Spurs Under 23 side on one occasion last season. The Hammersmith born left-back is a very good passer/crosser of a ball, and he started the season well by starting the first three Premier League South matches of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side. However, Jordan picked up an injury playing for the England Under 18 side in a match against Wales, and he wouldn’t return to playing for Spurs until the November of 2021. The versatile defender who can also play at centre-half, started both of Spurs’ wins in the FA Youth Cup last season. Jordan was a second year scholar in 2021/22. It was announced by Spurs on the 2nd of June that Jordan had left the club after his scholarship had come to an end.

Charlie Sayers: Left footed centre-half Charlie Sayers has good distribution, is assertive in his defending and is also a fine reader of the game. After joining Spurs on trial in the November of 2021 from National League side Southend United, Charlie signed for Spurs on a permanent basis during the following month from the Essex club. The Southend born defender who is also capable of playing at left-back, actually made all his competitive appearances for Spurs at Academy level at centre-half last season. The 18 year old second year scholar signed his first professional contract with Spurs last season, and in my opinion he had some really impressive games for Spurs at Academy level. Sayers made 14 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in all competitions, scoring two goals. He also made two Premier League 2 appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, impressing greatly in a home 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Charlie Sayers also traveled with a Spurs Under 19 side to the Terborg Tournament, and he did really well for them in the opening game against Belgian side KRC Genk. However, he appeared to have picked up an injury in that game, and unfortunately he didn’t make any further appearances for Spurs at that tournament.

In 2022/23 Charlie Sayers will officially be part of the Spurs Under 23 squad, and he will also likely be eligible to play for the Spurs Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League.

Brandon Bryan-Waugh: Right-back Brandon Bryan-Waugh (17) was a player who I was really impressed with last season. Also capable of playing in central defence and at left-back, the Goodmayes born defender who has represented England at youth international level in the past, is a really good tackler who defends his side of the pitch really well, but he can also bring the ball forward well. Bryan-Waugh made 20 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, and he also made the bench for the Spurs Under 23 side on one occasion. One game that really stands out for me was Spurs’ 5-3 Premier League South win against West Ham United, when Brandon defended so well at right-back during that match, as well as bringing the ball up the pitch really well also. He started all of Spurs’ FA Youth Cup matches last season, and hopefully next season the player who is the second cousin of former Spurs player Aaron Lennon, will make even more appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side as he enters his second season of scholarship.

Jahziah Linton: Left-back Jahziah Linton (17) was in his first year of scholarship with the club in 2021/22, and the London born footballer made 19 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side. Linton also made some appearances for a Spurs Under 19 side at the end of season Terborg Tournament. A left-back who really likes to get forward down the left flank and who also links up well with the winger who is playing on the left flank, is a hardworking and solid defender. Jahziah got regular minutes for the Spurs Under 18 side in the Under 18 Premier League South last season, and he will be hoping to get even more minutes for them in 2022/23. I could also see Jahziah making his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 23 side next season, as there aren’t a lot of players who play at left-back at that level for the Spurs Under 23 side.

Maxwell McKnight: Right-back Maxwell McKnight often played as a winger on the right flank for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, but he did also start matches at right-back as well. The first year scholar is a player who I really thought did very well for Stuart Lewis’ side last season, and at both right-back and as a winger Maxwell really likes to get forward, both with and without the ball. He is very fast and technical, and in some ways he reminds me of former Spurs Academy winger Anthony Georgiou, as he is also a very good crosser of a football, and also a very hardworking player. The Colchester born former West Ham United Academy player provided the joint most assists (nine) in the Spurs Under 18 side last season, and he also scored two goals from 31 competitive appearances at Under 18 level. Maxwell is a player who I personally think could become a very important player for the Spurs Under 18 side in the UEFA Youth League next season, as he enters his second season of scholarship with the club. He is very direct with the ball, and I am sure that the Spurs fans will really enjoy watching him play in matches next season, at Academy level. 

Midfielders:

Dante Cassanova: Captaining the Spurs Under 18 side on a good number of occasions early on in the season, versatile second year scholar and defensive-midfielder Dante Cassanova made 14 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22. The London born footballer who can also play at full-back, is a very good set-piece taker and he would provide two assists last season for the Spurs Under 18 side. Cassanova also made two competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side, providing an assist in a match against West Ham United. Dante also played some Under 18 Premier League North matches for Derby County in 2021/22.

Jez Davies: Formerly of Leyton Orient, midfielder Jez Davies is a midfield player who likes to go on skilful surging forward runs with the ball, from midfield. As a second year scholar in 2021/22, Jez Davies made eight competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season (he also featured for the Spurs Under 23 side in pre-season), scoring two goals and providing two assists. The 17 year old also made one appearance for the Spurs Under 23 side, scoring an equalising goal for them in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the February of this year. Davies came off the bench in the second half of the Spurs Under 18 side’s 5-1 FA Youth Cup third round tie with Ipswich Town last year, to impressively score two goals. I thought that the footballer from Hackney, who is also capable of playing in central defence, impressed when he played during the second half of the season. It was announced by Spurs on the 2nd of June that Jez had left the club after his scholarship had come to an end.

Rio Kyerematen: Contributing with seven goals and six assists for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, midfielder Rio Kyerematen (16) had a very good first season of scholarship with Spurs. Highly skilful and with a real eye for goal, the London born footballer is versatile and he can also play matches as a CAM. Rio made his debut for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2020/21, but during the season just gone he made a total of 27 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side. Always looking to go forward with the ball, the England Under 17 international (he provided two assists for England last season) also made his debut for the Spurs Under 23 side last season, as a second half substitute against Crystal Palace in the Premier League 2. Kyerematen had some very good games for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, and the player who also traveled with a Spurs Under 19 side to compete in the end of season Terborg Tournament, also captained the Under 18 side on occasions. Rio likes to take players on for skill with the ball, and he is a very good striker of a football, who is clinical in and around the penalty area. It was a definitely a season for the first year scholar to be proud of, and I look forward to seeing him play for Spurs again next season.

Oliver Turner: The Welwyn Garden City born midfielder and second year scholar didn’t actually make any competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22. Turner did however, start for the Spurs Under 18 side in a pre-season friendly with Ipswich Town before the start of the 2021/22 season. It was announced by Spurs on the 2nd of June that Oliver had left the club after his scholarship had come to an end.

Khalon Haysman: Former England youth international Khalon Haysman (18) is a versatile and technical midfield player who also started matches on the left flank as a winger, last season. Khalon impressed with the Spurs Under 23 side in pre-season, and he had a really fine game against non-League side Ramsgate last July, a game that he scored a well taken goal in. The Enfield born second year scholar made 12 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, scoring two goals and providing one assist. Khalon is a skilful player who likes to get forward with the ball, and he also has an eye for goal. He last featured for the Spurs Under 18 side in an FA Youth Cup third round tie with Ipswich Town, in the December of 2021. It was announced by Spurs on the 2nd of June that Khalon had left the club after his scholarship had come to an end.

Axel Piesold: The first year scholar who missed most of the 2020/21 season because of injury, didn’t make any match-day squads for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22. The Finsbury Park born midfielder was playing some matches for non-League side Dunstable Town, towards the end of last season.

George Abbott: A tenacious, hardworking and skilful midfield player, first year scholar George Abbott (16) is a player who can strike a football really well. Born in Islington and brought up in Muswell Hill, George primarily plays as a defensive-midfielder, but he can also play at right-back, a role which I thought that he did well at last season, when he played there on occasions. He made 15 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist. George also featured for a Spurs Under 19 side at the end of season Terborg Tournament. I personally thought that the first year scholar had a fine debut full-time season with the Spurs Under 18 side, and some games that really standout to me, was the home league game against West Bromwich Albion, when George Abbott had an excellent game, also the away league game against Chelsea, when he played at right-back, also stands out. As does his performance against De Graafschap at the Terborg Tournament. George will be a second year scholar with Spurs next season, in 2021/22. 

Billy Heaps: An excellent striker of a football, versatile midfielder Billy Heaps has good pace, and he carries the ball forward well with good skill, whether he is playing in midfield or out wide. Called-up for England at youth international level in the past, the Stevenage born first year scholar made 19 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, scoring two goals and providing three assists. Heaps didn’t make his Premier League South debut for the Spurs Under 18 side until the November of 2021, but during the second half of last season the former Stevenage Academy player made a lot of appearances for Stuart Lewis’ side, and he had some really good games, both in central midfield and out wide on the flanks. Billy also traveled with a Spurs Under 19 side to the end of season Terborg Tournament in late May, and he even started one of the matches at right-back. In addition to his skill and eye for goal, Billy Heaps has also shown in games in 2021/22, that he is a really good passer of a football, with fine vision for a forward pass. 

Forwards:

Renaldo Torraj: With great balance and low centre of gravity, Albania Under 19 international Renaldo Torraj scored two goals from 15 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22. The London born winger, who can play on either flank, or as a right-back, is a very direct player who likes to go forward with the ball at pace. Renaldo also likes to try to beat the goalkeeper from distance, and he scored an excellent goal from distance last season. The second year scholar didn’t make any additional appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side after March of this year, but the talented winger has since been called-up to represent the Albania Under 19 side in June of 2022. It was announced by Spurs on the 2nd of June that Renaldo had left the club after his scholarship had come to an end.

Riley Owen: Winger Riley Owen made 20 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22, scoring three goals and providing two assists. Born in London, and brought up in Bromley, Riley was one of the youngest first year scholars in 2021/22, having his birthday in August. However, he still made a really good number of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during the season just gone. Owen has a good turn of pace and has great skill and creativity on the ball, and he also has an eye for goal. He scored a brace in a 3-2 Premier League South loss to Birmingham City (away) early on in 2021/22, and he also scored a good headed goal against West Bromwich Albion later on in the season. Often starting matches on the left flank during last season, Riley also started matches as a CAM on occasions. The former Arsenal Academy player will be hoping to make even more appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2022/23.

Roshaun Mathurin: Second year scholar Roshaun Mathurin featured as a substitute in the first two Premier League South matches of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side, after featuring in some matches for the Spurs Under 23 side in pre-season. A very skilful winger who is more than capable of beating players with great skill, Roshaun scored a goal in a 7-2 home Premier League South loss to Chelsea in the August of 2021, but very unfortunately he picked up a season ending injury, not long after that match. Hopefully Roshaun will be able to get some minutes for the Spurs Under 23 side, next pre-season (2022/23).

Thomas Bloxham: With his clever twists and turns and excellent balance, it was a season of good strides for first year scholar Thomas Bloxham, in 2021/22. The Republic of Ireland Under 17 international who was called-up to represent Ireland last season for the first time, would make 27 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season, scoring five goals and providing one assist. A winger who is capable of playing on either flank, as a CAM and as a centre-forward, Bloxham enjoyed a really good bit of form in early 2022, and he had an excellent game against West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. A very technical player, Thomas is always looking to go forward with the ball, and he does like to try and work the goalkeeper, as well. Unfortunately Thomas picked up an injury towards the end of the 2021/22 season, in Spurs’ Under 18 side’s last Premier 

League South match of the season. However, hopefully he will be back soon, for the start of pre-season.

Jaden Williams: This was a first season of scholarship that forward Jaden Williams should be proud of. The Harrow born centre-forward impressed greatly with his off the ball movement, as well as his goals and assists. Jaden scored 13 goals and provided eight assists from 28 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side. Jaden also made five appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side, in the Premier League 2. The first year scholar scored five goals and provided two assists in a  brilliant 7-0 home Premier League South win over Birmingham City last season. Williams likes to make runs in behind in the defence, is very good inside the penalty area and is also a clinical finisher. This was a very good debut full-time season for Jaden, who also showed his versatility by starting matches out wide on the flanks. The player who captained the Spurs Under 18 side on two occasions in the Premier League South last season, had some very good games, including in the FA Youth Cup. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jaden starts a good number of games for the Spurs Under 23 side next season, alongside Jamie Donley.

Jamie Donley: The top scorer for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2021/22 with 17 competitive goals (he missed two months of the season because of injury), forward and first year scholar Jamie Donley also provided nine assists for the team, from 24 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side. Born in Antrim, Northern Ireland, Jamie has grown up in England, and has been at Spurs for almost ten years. A tall and physical forward, who is also a good athlete. Donley often started matches as a CAM for Stuart Lewis’ side during the season just gone, and this was where he was able to showcase his excellent vision for a pass and passing ability, in a very Harry Kane-esque way. In good form for England Under 17’s in 2021/22, Jamie Donley was also very good in front of goal, of course. He did also start a good number of games at centre-forward, and he is a very clinical finisher who scores a real variety of goals, including some really spectacular goals. Donley’s work rate is outstanding, and in some ways he does remind me of Troy Parrott when he was a first year scholar. Jamie also made three competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side in 2021/22, providing one assist. He would also feature for a Spurs Under 19 side at the end of season Terborg Tournament.

My goal of the season: Jamie Donley’s excellent bicycle kick goal against West Bromwich Albion in the October of 2021. A corner-kick which was delivered from Dante Cassanova into the West Brom penalty area was met by Donley, whose excellent overhead kick went into the top right hand corner of goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead’s goal. It was a truly special goal. 

My save of the season: Adam Hayton’s excellent save to stop Reading Under 18’s player Harry Murphy’s effort in a 3-2 Premier League South home win for Spurs, in the September of 2021. After receiving a pass on the right side of the Spurs penalty area, the Reading player hit a really good effort across the goal, which was excellently saved by Adam Hayton at full stretch, as he made the save.

My game of the season: Spurs Under 18’s 5-3 West Ham United. It was a performance of great character from the Spurs Under 18 side that saw them respond to West Ham going 2-0 up early on in the first half of this Premier League South match at Little Heath, in the April of 2022. The Spurs side would respond excellently, and a brace from Jamie Donley, and goals from Jaden Williams, Billy Heaps and Maxwell McKnight would make sure of the win for Spurs. In my opinion it was Spurs’ best of the season at this level.

The Superhotspur Spurs Under 18’s player of the season (2021/22): Jamie Donley. Often starting matches as a CAM, the England Under 17 international was in my opinion excellent throughout the 2021/22 season. Donley’s excellent Harry Kane-esque passing ability and goalscoring, as well as his link-up play and superb off the ball work made him one of the best players in the Premier League South in 2021/22, and this was made even more impressive by the fact that he missed two months of the season with an injury. This was a season that the first year scholar should be very proud of. Scoring 17 goals and assisting nine goals in your first season full-time with a club for an Under 18 side, is very impressive.