With all the current talent at White Hart Lane it is often easy to overlook the Spurs youth set up. Harry Redknapp’s side have been constantly in the press this season as they continue their charge for the Champions League and it has caused their academy to take a back-seat. However, this should not be the case as despite the fact that the club are not necessarily renowned for their young talent, their current crop of youngsters possess great potential and many of them have an exciting future. Take Danny Rose, for example.
Rose is a talented winger with bags of pace and the ability to run at defenders. He signed for the Lilywhites in the summer of 2007 and is a product of the Leeds United academy, one that has been notorious for its quality youngsters over the last decade. Spurs obviously saw great potential in Rose as they paid £1 million for the winger despite him only being 17-years-of-age at the time and he has impressed since arriving at White Hart Lane.
Rose impressed in the Spurs academy and reserve sides before being sidelined for several months with a knee injury. On his return, Rose earned himself a loan spell with Championship side Watford, where he made seven appearances. Watford manager Brendan Rogers described him as a real talent, highlighting his natural ability. Rogers said of Rose:
“He has good energy and real intelligence with the ball. Technically he’s a good player but he has commitment and it is very important that players have that. I want players you can trust and that are hard-working and he fits the bill.”
He has since been sent out on another loan move, this time to the Championship side Peterborough, however Rose’s spell at London Road was brought to a premature end after the Posh relieved manager Darren Ferguson of his duties in November of last year. Sources at Peterborough speak of Rose’s natural talent however many fans felt that he had some attitude problems and did not always give 100% when performing for the Championship strugglers.
Rose has also made a name for himself on the international stage, having appeared for England at Under 16, 17 and 19 levels. He impressed so much for the Under 19’s that Stuart Pearce decided to take him to Sweden for the Under 21 Championships. He appeared for the side in their group game against Germany and since returning to Spurs has earned a new contract, keeping him in North London until 2013.
Rose scores for Spurs’ academy in the F.A Youth Cup.
[youtube dmWhBIoFgzQ]
Follow me on Twitter