{"id":670593,"date":"2026-06-08T14:38:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T18:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=670593"},"modified":"2026-06-08T14:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T18:38:38","slug":"tottenham-hotspur-youngsters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/08\/tottenham-hotspur-youngsters\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Tottenham Hotspur Youngsters Looking to Impress Roberto De Zerbi This Pre-Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"681\">Five Tottenham Hotspur youngsters will be eager to impress Roberto De Zerbi ahead of the 2026\/27 season, with several prospects looking forward to showcasing their abilities during pre-season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"1056\">With a number of Tottenham&#8217;s most promising young players having spent the 2025\/26 campaign out on loan, pre-season provides a valuable opportunity to step into the first-team environment and make an impression on De Zerbi. It also offers a chance for emerging talent to demonstrate their development in both training and match situations ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1141\">Here are five Tottenham youngsters to watch during pre-season preparations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1141\">Read more:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/07\/marcos-senesi-tottenham\/\" target=\"_self\">Marcos Senesi to Tottenham Hotspur \u2018100% Confirmed\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"1035\">Tottenham Hotspur Youngsters to Watch In Pre-Season<\/h2>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1dmf7qj\" data-start=\"126\" data-end=\"143\">Luka Vu\u0161kovi\u0107<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"145\" data-end=\"352\">Luka Vu\u0161kovi\u0107 is one of the most highly regarded Tottenham Hotspur youngsters heading into the 2026\/27 campaign, with expectations continuing to grow following a breakthrough loan spell in Germany with Hamburger SV.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"354\" data-end=\"687\">The Croatian centre-back agreed a move to Tottenham in 2023, with the transfer becoming official in the summer of 2025, although he is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club. Vu\u0161kovi\u0107 did feature in pre-season, registering a goal and assist in a 2-0 win over Reading, before being sent out on loan for further development.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"1059\">His spell in Germany proved highly successful, with the 19-year-old scoring six goals in 28 appearances and earning a place in the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bundesliga.com\/en\/bundesliga\/news\/team-of-the-season-ea-sports-fc-26-voting-36810\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">division\u2019s Team of the Season<\/a>. Now returning to Tottenham\u2019s long-term plans, Vu\u0161kovi\u0107 stands out among the group of youngsters who could catch the eye of De Zerbi during pre-season, with supporters eager to see how he continues to develop.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"fne21b\" data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1081\">Mikey Moore<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"e8c3ce70f1ad837bdffb21e2453272b6\" image-id=\"XhXPVoyIzurT\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 6931px; aspect-ratio: 6931\/4621;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1296\">Mikey Moore is widely regarded as one of the most exciting Tottenham Hotspur youngsters emerging from the club\u2019s academy system, having already made over 20 first-team appearances despite still being only 18 years of age.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1633\">The winger progressed rapidly through Tottenham\u2019s youth ranks before making his senior debut in the 2023\/24 season, becoming the club\u2019s youngest Premier League player in the process. He also featured during Spurs\u2019 Europa League-winning campaign in 2024\/25, making five appearances and scoring once on their route to lifting the trophy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1936\">Moore spent the 2025\/26 season on loan at Scottish Premiership side Rangers, where he gained regular senior experience across domestic and European competitions. He registered 11 goal contributions in 47 appearances and was named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year following an impressive campaign.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"2116\">Now returning to Tottenham, Moore is expected to be closely monitored during pre-season, with De Zerbi likely to assess how the winger fits into his plans for the 2026\/27 season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"2116\">Read more:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/04\/jan-paul-van-hecke-spurs\/\" target=\"_self\">Totte<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/04\/jan-paul-van-hecke-spurs\/\" target=\"_self\">nham Hotspur Make Opening Offer for Incredible<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/04\/jan-paul-van-hecke-spurs\/\" target=\"_self\"> Inte<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/04\/jan-paul-van-hecke-spurs\/\" target=\"_self\">rnational<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/04\/jan-paul-van-hecke-spurs\/\" target=\"_self\"> Defender<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1agd5lp\" data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2141\">Will Lankshear<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2376\">Will Lankshear is another of the Tottenham Hotspur youngsters returning to the club following a productive loan spell in the Championship, with the striker continuing his development after gaining valuable senior experience at Oxford United.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2726\">The 21-year-old progressed through Spurs\u2019 academy ranks before making six first-team appearances during the 2024\/25 season, where he also scored his first goal for the club away to Galatasaray in the Europa League. Subsequent loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Oxford United have provided Lankshear with regular first-team football in the EFL.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"3174\">Lankshear was a regular for Oxford, finishing as top scorer with 12 goals and winning Young Player of the Season, despite suffering relegation from the Championship. Now returning to Tottenham with a full campaign of senior football behind him, Lankshear represents one of the Tottenham youngsters who could be assessed closely by De Zerbi during pre-season, particularly as he looks to strengthen attacking options ahead of the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"77u7as\" data-start=\"3181\" data-end=\"3190\">Souza<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"c78749ece7fd074ea5dc1889e7c53f0f\" image-id=\"esmeKgQOBLvu\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 4348px; aspect-ratio: 4348\/2899;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3192\" data-end=\"3374\">Souza is one of the newer Tottenham Hotspur youngsters to arrive at the club, having joined from Brazilian side Santos as part of Spurs\u2019 recruitment of emerging international talent.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3376\" data-end=\"3616\">The 19-year-old left-back developed through Santos\u2019 academy, with his performances in Brazil prompting Tottenham to complete a move in January 2026. Souza went on to make four senior appearances during the second half of the 2025\/26 season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3618\" data-end=\"3943\">While primarily a traditional left-back, the Brazilian has already demonstrated his versatility, featuring in multiple positions including right wing during Tottenham\u2019s 1-1 draw away to Liverpool under Igor Tudor. Those appearances have given him valuable exposure at Premier League level despite his limited time in England.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"4259\">Now continuing his adaptation to English football, Souza is one of the Tottenham youngsters who could benefit from pre-season under De Zerbi, offering an opportunity to further assess his development, particularly with increased competition for places following the arrival of Andy Robertson in the summer of 2026.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"4259\">Read more<strong>:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/05\/tottenham-sign-andy-robertson\/\" target=\"_self\">Why Tottenham Signed Andy Robertson on a Free Transfer<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1lqjfhe\" data-start=\"4266\" data-end=\"4291\">Luc\u00e1 Williams-Barnett<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4503\">Luc\u00e1 Williams-Barnett is one of the most highly rated prospects in Tottenham&#8217;s academy system, with the 17-year-old already edging towards senior involvement despite still being at an early stage of his career.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4505\" data-end=\"4869\">The forward caught the eye by producing outstanding numbers for Tottnham\u2019s U18 side with 37 goal contributions in 32 appearances, aged just 16. He continued his development across PL2 and UEFA Youth League fixtures during the 2025\/26 season, scoring 16 goals in 19 appearances while also making his first-team debut in a Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4871\" data-end=\"5232\">Williams-Barnett\u2019s progress was briefly halted by injury towards the end of the campaign, but he remains highly regarded within the club\u2019s academy structure. Now returning to full fitness, pre-season is an important opportunity for the young attacker to impress De Zerbi and potentially strengthen his case for further involvement with the Tottenham first team.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4871\" data-end=\"5232\"><em>Featured image courtesy of Imago\/Pro Sports Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five Tottenham Hotspur youngsters will be eager to impress Roberto De Zerbi ahead of the 2026\/27 season, with several prospects looking forward to showcasing their abilities during pre-season. With a number of Tottenham&#8217;s most promising young players having spent the 2025\/26 campaign out on loan, pre-season provides a valuable opportunity to step into the first-team [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5875,"featured_media":664976,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1827,30,3,24],"tags":[9831,6865,32669,9413],"class_list":["post-670593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academy","category-news","category-premier-league","category-tottenham","tag-mikey-moore","tag-roberto-de-zerbi","tag-tottenham-hotspur-team-news","tag-will-lankshear"],"modified_by":"Barry Dixon, LWOF Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5875"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=670593"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":670611,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670593\/revisions\/670611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/664976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=670593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=670593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=670593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}