Pre-season may only just have started, but with Spurs having already announced their new first year academy scholars for this season (2023/24), I thought that I would write my annual preview of the season, on the Spurs Under 18 side (I will as always also write one on the Under 21 side in the near future). 25 full-time academy scholars will form the Spurs Under 18 squad for the 2023/24 season. Three of the new Academy first year scholars have joined Spurs from other clubs, with Herbie James and Roman Egan-Riley joining Spurs from Manchester City, while Calum Logan has joined Spurs from Ipswich Town. Last season Spurs’ Under 18 side finished in fifth place in the Under 18 Premier League South. However, what was basically a Spurs Under 18 side won the Under 17 Premier League Cup, and the Spurs Under 18 side won the Under 18 Premier League Cup for the first time during the same season. This season Spurs’ Under 18 side consists of another very talented group of players. They should be playing in the Under 18 Premier League South, as well as the prestigious FA Youth Cup (they will enter that competition in the third round) and also the Under 18 Premier League Cup. However, a Spurs Under 19 side will not be in the UEFA Youth League this season. This is because Spurs’ first team didn’t qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season, and the Spurs Under 18 side weren’t champions of England at Under 18 level, which is the only other way of qualifying for the competition.

Last season of the current group of the Spurs Academy players, I thought that now first year scholar Mikey Moore excelled in the Premier League South with the Spurs Under 18 side last season. And despite having not joined Spurs full-time at that stage of his career, the versatile player who often plays on the left flank as a winger, was excellent in every game that I saw him in. He is an incredibly skilful player with great balance and dribbling ability with the ball, and he is also very creative. Mikey provided the most assists of anyone in the Spurs Under 18 side in 2022/23. From the same age group, midfielder Callum Olusesi got a lot of minutes for the Spurs Under 18 side and he did well at that level in 2022/23. There were so many very good performances from this group of Spurs Under 18’s last season, from the now second year scholars. Archie Chaplin in central defence did very well, as did Tyrese Hall in midfield, and Oliver Irow in a more forward position. Tyrese is a versatile midfielder with great reading of the game and vision. He also has excellent ability on the ball, and he is more than capable of going past players with skill. However, in addition to his creative ability with the ball, Tyrese Hall scores goals, and particularly on the edge of the penalty area he is very good at really testing the goalkeeper. 

Personally I can see Tyrese Hall becoming a really important player once again for the Spurs Under 18 side this season, as well as also making some appearances for the Spurs Under 21 side. I also think/predict that like with Oliver Skipp when he was a first year scholar, that Mikey Moore will feature a lot for the Spurs Under 21 side this season, while still playing for the Spurs Under 18 side in big games, such as important FA Youth Cup games. Han Willhoft-King, a player who really reminds me of Oliver Skipp, is another player who I reckon will have a really good season for the Spurs Under 18 side. This will be another interesting season, but also one with a lot of promise for the Spurs Under 18 side, and I really think that they’ll have a really good season. West Ham United’ Under 18 side were outstanding last season, and they really deserved to win the Under 18 Premier League South and the FA Youth Cup. However, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see Spurs’ Under 18 side challenge for the league title this season, as well as going far in the FA Youth Cup. I would like to wish the Spurs Under 18 side of 2023/24 all the very best of luck for this season.

The Spurs Under 18 squad for the 2023/24 season:

Goalkeepers: Elliot Krasniqi, Carey Bloedorn, Samual Archer, Charlie Warren.

Defenders: James Rowswell, Calum Logan, Archie Chaplin, Pele Arganese McDermott, Zach Simons, Maeson King, Timileyin Adekunle, Theodore Adelusi, Roman Egan-Riley, Dante Orr.

Midfielders/wingers: Han Willhoft-King, Tyrese Hall, Kieran Morgan, Callum Olusesi, Mikey Moore, Herbie James, Leo Black, Yusuf Akhamrich, Oliver Irow.

Forwards: Ellis Lehane, Damola Ajayi.