Paul Robinson: ‘Still a future’ for Dane Scarlett despite not being ready for Tottenham first-team action
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Dane Scarlett is a “really talented player” but is “not ready” to make the step up to the first team with Tottenham this season, Paul Robinson has said.
With club-record goalscorer Harry Kane having departed for Bayern Munich (official website) there is a potential opportunity for some of Spurs’ younger forwards to stake a claim for minutes this term.
Among those looking to impress is 19-year-old Scarlett, who struggled for consistency during a loan spell at Portsmouth last season, scoring four times in 34 League One appearances.
However, it may be that Tottenham look for more established options to reinforce their forward line for Ange Postecoglou’s debut campaign, with LondonWorld reporting (15 August) that Leeds United’s wantaway star Willy Gnonto is on their radar.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson is of the opinion that another loan spell, potentially in the Championship, would be more beneficial for Scarlett at this juncture of his career.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “I think he’s a really talented player. I’ve seen him a couple of times and I think there’s a lot of talent there. I’ve been impressed with the way that he comes into the first team when he’s given his opportunity.
“But I think it may be too early. When you look at the squad that Spurs have got and at what the manager is trying to do. I don’t think another year on loan would do any harm playing regular first-team football.
“Whether that’s in the Championship or at the very top of League One. I don’t think he goes lower than a team that are looking to win League One, but a team in the Championship would be an ideal loan for him next year.
“That’s probably the next step in his career.“
Robinson fears that Scarlett could miss out on essential footballing education if he were to stay put this season and believes the pressure of top-flight football is something that he does not need at this stage of his young career.
He added: “You get to a certain age as a player and it’s not ideal travelling everywhere and sitting on the bench and playing five minutes or 10 minutes. You train all week with the players, that’s how you’re going to get better like that.
“While I’m not saying he’s not going to get better, he’s not going to improve by working with Postecoglou and training with the players that they’ve got at Spurs.
“But there is a lot to be said for playing and playing where it matters. I think he’s a very, very good player and I think there’s still a future for him at Tottenham.
“But I think there’s an education and a grounding that’s needed outside of the Premier League first.”
In other Tottenham news, Spurs must sacrifice youth development this season if they are to win a rare trophy this season.