Tottenham Hotspur have established a strong reputation in recent years for providing young players with opportunities to flourish at the highest level. Under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou, this commitment to youth development has only intensified, with Spurs actively signing and promoting talented young prospects.
The North London club has consistently scouted and recruited promising talents, securing the signings of players like Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, and Pape Matar Sarr—each of whom arrived with high potential and have since been integrated into the squad. More recently, Tottenham have added even more exciting young players to their ranks, including Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, and South Korean prospect Yang Min-hyeok.
Postecoglou’s faith in youth is not limited to external signings. The Australian manager has also placed significant trust in Spurs’ academy products, handing opportunities to the likes of Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, and Jamie Donley in recent months. This approach highlights his long-term vision for the club, focusing not only on immediate success but also on nurturing homegrown talent for the future.
Now, another Tottenham academy graduate is striving to break into the first-team picture. Postecoglou has spoken about 20-year-old forward Dane Scarlett, who has been “working hard” to impress the coaching staff and earn a more regular role in the senior squad.
Ange Postecoglou Praises Dane Scarlett’s Dedication and Progress
Dane Scarlett, once regarded as one of Spurs’ brightest youth prospects, has had to take a more patient route to first-team football. After spending time on loan at Portsmouth, Ipswich Town, and most recently Oxford United—where his spell was cut short in January—Scarlett has now returned to Tottenham, looking to establish himself under Postecoglou.
Rather than sending the young striker out on another loan, Postecoglou opted to keep him within the squad, offering him valuable game time. Since his return, Scarlett has featured in three matches, making an instant impact by scoring and assisting in a Europa League clash against Elfsborg while also registering an assist against Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
Ahead of Tottenham’s crucial showdown with Manchester City, Postecoglou addressed Scarlett’s development and work ethic. Speaking to football.london, the Spurs boss acknowledged the challenges the young forward has faced but praised his determination to overcome them.
“Yeah, look, he’s working hard, Dane,” Postecoglou said. “Like you said, he’s had a couple of difficult loans, and that’s part of the process as well for him. We were just talking about Djed (Spence), who had three difficult loans, so some of it is just perseverance—keep working hard and wait for your opportunity.
“He has done well for us. When he came back, he wasn’t in the greatest physical condition, but he’s been working hard on that. Hopefully, he gets more opportunities moving forward.”
While Postecoglou acknowledged Scarlett’s recent contributions, he took a moment to critique the statistical significance of an assist in football.
“As an aside, I’ve got to say the assist is the most useless statistic in world football,” he remarked. “Seriously, it could come off your backside, fall to somebody on the halfway line, they score, and it’s an assist. So it doesn’t impress me, but Dane’s assist at the weekend was a good one.”
Despite Postecoglou’s comments on assists, it’s clear he sees potential in Scarlett and is willing to give him further chances to prove himself at Tottenham. The young forward is expected to be in the squad for Wednesday night’s highly anticipated Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Peter Crouch Sees Shades of Harry Kane in Dane Scarlett
Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has also weighed in on Scarlett’s development, drawing comparisons between the youngster and club legend Harry Kane. The ex-England international noted the similarities in their career trajectories, as both players had to navigate multiple loan spells before earning a regular place in Spurs’ first team.
“I don’t think you should be disheartened when you go out on loan,” Crouch said after watching Scarlett in action against Elfsborg. “You have to have those experiences.
“There was a certain number nine, Harry Kane, at this football club who went on loan to Leyton Orient, Millwall, and Leicester before becoming a legend here. Of course, that’s a lot for Dane Scarlett to live up to—Kane is an elite-level player—but I thought his all-round game was brilliant when he came on.
“He held the ball up well, set up the second goal, and his touches around the box were excellent. His movement was really good, and he got on the end of the Dejan Kulusevski cross to score. His confidence will only grow from there.”
What’s Next for Dane Scarlett?
With Tottenham competing on multiple fronts, there could be further opportunities for Scarlett to showcase his abilities. Postecoglou has shown a willingness to rotate his squad, especially in cup competitions and European fixtures, meaning the young striker could see increased minutes in the coming weeks.
While breaking into Spurs’ starting XI won’t be easy—especially with established forwards ahead of him—Scarlett’s recent performances suggest he has the talent and determination to make an impact. If he continues to impress, he may follow in the footsteps of other academy graduates who have carved out successful careers at the club.
For now, Scarlett remains a promising talent with a bright future. His progress will be one to watch, especially as Postecoglou continues to shape the next generation of Tottenham stars.
‘He’s working hard’: Ange Postecoglou says Spurs have a young talent who’s putting so much effort in; could play tonight
