Samuel Shashoua: A bright future

A player who is one of my favourites in the Spurs academy, is 17 year old attacking midfielder Samuel Shashoua, Shashoua’s performances for our under 18’s side this season, have been nothing less than superb. I have seen Shashoua play on many occasions this season, predominantly in the under 18’s side, and every time I have been thoroughly impressed with his performances. A second year scholar, Shashoua has been one of the most influential players in the under 18’s side over the past two seasons, with ten goals and 11 assists to his name, in the current season. The attacking midfielder who has represented England at youth level, can operate on both wings, as well as playing behind the striker from time to time. Originally from west London, Shashoua has been part of the Spurs academy for many years. His brother Armando is also on Spurs’s books, playing for the under 16’s side. Shashoua has already made his debut for the under 23’s side, when he started against Chelsea at Stamford bridge, back in September.

Style of play: Shashoua is very much a creative force, he may not posses an exceptional amount of pace but he has fantastic ball control. His trickery and skill making him a tough opponent to come up against on the wing. Shashoua’s awareness and vision are one of his greatest assets, whilst his ability to thread a fine pass through to the striker, is first rate. It was a bitterly cold November morning in New Malden, when our under 18’s side faced Fulham at the cottagers training ground. I was in attendance that morning, to see John McDermott’s side grind out a well deserved 1-0 victory, with Shashoua getting the winner from the penalty spot late on in the match. It was a top performance from the winger, he was constantly running at the Fulham defence,constantly looking to create. And it’s his creativity which is such an impressive part of his game, he has a footballing brain and shows a great understanding of the game at such a young age. Shashoua was the hardest worker on the field that day, his weaving runs causing the Fulham defence much bother. Shashoua covers a vast amount of ground like first team star Christian Eriksen, he likes to press. I remember last year I done a short interview with Samuel, where he said that his biggest footballing inspiration is Lionel Messi and I can see why. I’m by no means comparing him to Messi, but he runs with the ball in the same style as Messi, with trickery being such a big part of his game. In my opinion, Shashoua is a Pochettino player, he may not have received the same amount of hype as Marcus Edwards, but he is a very talented player. He’s such an exciting prospect!

 
The Eriksen factor: I don’t know whether Shashoua models his game on the Denmark international, but he really reminds me of Eriksen. Like Eriksen he is a very intelligent player who is the creative source within a game. Shashoua’s also a good set piece taker, and like Eriksen he has the ability to send a perfectly measured pass through to the striker. Christian Eriksen, is the senior player he most reminds me of in terms of style. Shashoua has got an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season, out of 22 games Shashoua has been involved in 21 goals across the various youth levels that he has played in this season, a seriously impressive statistic.

The future: Shashoua is only 17 years of age, there’s a tough long journey ahead of him, but I really believe that he has the ability to become a top player for us in the coming seasons. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the under 23’s side next season, which will be a great opportunity for him to showcase his talents at a higher level. He has a great attitude and a good work ethic, it’s an exciting few years ahead for the academy prospect and his one of many that I have high hopes for. COYS

Kyle Walker-Peters: A star in the making

Kyle Walker-Peters is a name which the vast majority of Spurs fans will know, the 19 year old fullback is one of the most talented players in our academy and his superb performances for our development squad over the past few seasons have not gone unnoticed from those in the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy. Born in Edmonton a stones throwaway from White Hart Lane, Walker-Peters has been part of the Lillywhites academy set up since he was a young boy. Since becoming a first year scholar in 2013, Walker-Peters had been a consistent and important player for the under 18’s featuring predominantly at right back. The youngster burst onto the under 21 scene back in the 2014-15 season and since then he has been Ugo Ehiogu’s most consistent player, receiving plaudits for almost every game that he has played in. During last seasons under 21 campaign Walker-Peters was exceptional and his top class performances were rewarded, with Kyle winning the under 21’s player of the player of the month in December, before being awarded a new contract with Spurs in the same month. Later that season Walker-Peters featured on the bench for the senior team against Bournemouth in the league.

The right back is not just regarded highly at Spurs but his also highly regarded by England, since making debut for England under 18’s, Walker Peters has gone on to become a key player for the under 19’s and now the under 20’s. Kyle is also eligible to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the international stage. I have seen Kyle play for Spurs youth sides on many occasions over the past few seasons and I have always been incredibly impressed with his style of play since I first saw him play in the FA youth cup semi final against Chelsea in 2015. Walker Peters many attributes include excellent balance, good agility, pace and he has an incredibly high work rate, his eagerness to get forward down the wing also fits well into Pochettino’s style of play. In addition Walker-Peters has an excellent attitude, his persistence in chasing down players is top draw. Furthermore, he has a very good tackling ability, Walker-Peters has all the attributes to become a world class player under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance and he ticks all the boxes to play under Pochettino’s style of play.

In my opinion Walker-Peters has the ability to become the first choice right back at Spurs in a couple of seasons and I strongly believe that Walker-Peters can on go to become a future England international as well as developing into a world class right back. Walker-Peters has such a bright future at Spurs and I am looking forward to seeing him make his senior debut for Spurs in the near future and I look forward to seeing him develop in to a top class player.