Credit: Imago

John Wenham

Tue 11 March 2025 7:10, UK

Tottenham will say goodbye to one young player at the end of the season after behind-the-scenes deliberation.

Ange Postecoglou’s side might have struggled this season, with the Australian potentially on the verge of being sacked by Daniel Levy. However, when it comes to the younger players in North London, there is plenty to be excited about.

Jamie Donley, Josh Keeley and George Abbott are just some of the Spurs academy hopefuls shining out on loan, while Luca Williams-Barnett has been tearing it up for the Under-18s at Hotspur Way this term.

However, it looks as though one of those many talented young players in North London won’t be part of the club next season.

Tottenham to release Under-16s player in June

As reported by Lilywhite Rose via X (3 March), Under-16s player Ekemi Umoren will leave Tottenham at the end of the season after not being offered a scholarship by the North London club.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – has shared that this wasn’t an easy decision for Spurs to make.

“Not many people will have seen him play because he is an Under-16s player,” Wenham said.

“However, it is that time of the season where the club are deciding who is going to be offered a scholarship and who is going to be released. I know they were thinking about this player for quite some time.

“They had offered the first batch of scholarships, and this is someone who they were undecided on. However, they have now made that decision, and by making it now, it gives the player time to go and hopefully secure a scholarship elsewhere ahead of next season.

“He is a winger, tall, powerful but Tottenham obviously feel as though they have enough players with similar characteristics.”

Postecoglou must give youth a chance at Tottenham

Umoren will be moving on, and everybody connected with Spurs will no doubt wish him well in his future endeavours. However, Postecoglou now needs to focus on the young players who are at the club.

Unless he wants players such as Tyrese Hall and Williams-Barnett to follow Umoren out of the exit door, the Australian needs to prove that there will be first-team opportunities for the youngsters at Spurs.