The Spurs Under 18 sides’ 2022/23 season will be starting soon. Stuart Lewis’ side includes 27 full-time first and second year scholars, who will officially be part of the Spurs Under 18 side this season. This is a very talented squad of players, and while results didn’t always go Spurs’ way last season in the Under 18 Premier League South, a lot of the performances were good in my opinion, and they didn’t always reflect the scoreline. The Spurs Under 18 side reached the fifth round of the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup last season, and I think that they could definitely go further in that prestigious competition this season. In the league there are so many very good teams, such as Southampton, who won the Premier League South last season, Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. But with the experience that the second year scholars have of playing in the Premier League South last season, as well as some of the new first year scholars who also played for the side last season, in my opinion they could do really well this season, in the league. In addition to the Under 18 Premier League South and the FA Youth Cup, there is also the Under 18 Premier League Cup, which Spurs’ Under 18 side usually compete in every season, since it’s first edition in 2017/18.

A really good number of the Spurs Under 18 side will also be competing in the UEFA Youth League, for the Spurs Under 19 side, this season. That competition will provide the players who do get the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Youth League, great experience of playing against some of Europe’s best sides at that level. Second year scholar and England youth international Luca Gunter, is a very good and promising goalkeeper who I personally think will be a very important player for the Spurs Under 18 and Under 19 side, during 2022/23. The Spurs Under 18 squad is so talented, and while I wouldn’t be surprised to see second year scholars Jaden Williams, Alfie Dorrington, Jamie Donley, Rio Kyerematen and Maxwell McKnight feature for the Spurs Under 21 side this season, I’m sure that they will still feature a lot for the Spurs Under 18 side during this season. Another second year scholar who I think will be a very important player this season for the Spurs Under 18 side, is talented and versatile midfield player Billy Heaps. The former Stevenage Academy player started to get a lot of opportunities in the Spurs Under 18 side, during the second part of the 2021/22 season. He is capable of making excellent passes, and he is a very creative player.

Archie Chaplin is a first year scholar who made a really good number of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side last season. A very good central defender,  Archie really impressed last season. As did first year scholar and midfielder Han Willhoft-King, as well as versatile midfielder Tyrese Hall, when they played for the Spurs Under 18 side last season. Also, Spurs fans should look out for second year scholars Riley Owen, Brandon Bryan-Waugh and Thomas Bloxham this season. All second year scholars, Riley Owen is a highly skilful and creative winger, as is Republic of Ireland youth international Thomas Bloxham, while versatile defender Brandon Bryan-Waugh, was a player who really impressed me last season. I’m really looking forward to going to the matches again this season, and I would like to wish Stuart Lewis’ side all the very best of luck for the 2022/23 season. 

The Spurs Under 18 squad of 2022/23:

Goalkeepers: Luca Gunter, Elliot Krasniqi, Carey Bloedorn.

Defenders: Will Andiyapan, Jahziah Linton, Alfie Dorrington, Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Archie Chaplin, Pele Arganese-McDermott, Maeson King, James Roswell, Zach Simons.

Midfielders: George Abbott, Rio Kyerematen, Tyrese Hall, Billy Heaps, Kieran Morgan, Leo Black, Han Willhoft-King.

Wingers/forwards: Riley Owen, Oliver Irow, Thomas Bloxham, Maxwell McKnight, Jaden Williams, Jamie Donley, Yusuf Akhamrich, Damola Ajayi.