Tottenham expert reveals what he was told about 'utterly bizarre' Oliver Boast England omission
Tottenham gem Oliver Boast was not called up to England's Under-18 squad in the recent international break.
Spurs expert John Wenham was shocked by the decision not to call up the 17-year-old.
Boast has been on fire at Hotspur Way so far this season, with 12 goals and four assists in six Under-18 Premier League matches.
He was a surprise omission from Will Antwi's squad despite those exploits in the Lilywhites' youth system.
It is a baffling call on the face of it, as no one else is in that kind of form at academy level.
Wenham enquired into the reasoning for that decision, and he has now revealed what he found out.
What was said about Oliver Boast omission from England Under-18 side?
The Lilywhite Rose account owner revealed that Boast was not rested, he was simply not selected as the manager wanted to try other players.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: "I had my concerns about Oliver Boast being overlooked with the FA.
"I just found that utterly bizarre that he's the top scorer in the Under-18s division and Tottenham were top of the table at the time the squad was announced, and they called up five strikers and he wasn't one of them."
"I just really don't understand that, but Tottenham played a behind-coast loss friendly the other day he scored three goals in a 4-0 win for the Under-18s against Nottingham Forest, so he's continued his good goal-scoring form and I expect he will walk into the next squad considering he was randomly left out last time.
Asked whether it may have been Spurs' decision to keep him fresh, he replied: "That wasn't what I heard, I did enquire as you can imagine and I got some responses, and I wasn't told he was rested in any way, just that the manager was looking at different people which I just find strange.
"I don't know if it is favours to clubs or favours to agents but something goes on with that England selection that he doesn't see it completely right with me."
What's next for Tottenham gem Boast after England snub?
Boast has been making waves in Spurs' academy since he was picked up from Leeds United in the summer of 2025.
He has managed 26 goals and eight assists in 34 matches for the Under-18's so far, and will hoping to follow Harry Kane's trajectory.
The former Thorp Arch man has eight caps for England's Under-17 side, and a call-up to the Under-18's seems like a logical progression, given his form in this campaign.
He will have to wait for that, just like he has had to wait for a promotion to Spurs' Under-21 side.
Boast just needs to maintain his form and both of those things will come, and eventually his first-team chance will be handed to him by Roberto De Zerbi.