Spotted: Jahziah Linton trains with Tottenham first team ahead of Premier League clash v Nottingham Forest
It’s exciting times for Jahziah Linton after he has been spotted training with the Tottenham first team ahead of the clash against Nottingham Forest on Friday (15 December).
In a video posted on the club’s official YouTube channel on Thursday (14 December), the 19-year-old was seen joining in with the rest of the Spurs squad as they prepare for the game at the City Ground.
The defender was involved in a small-sided game, which involved several first-team players, as the Lilywhites aim to record back-to-back victories following their 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday (10 December).
Ange Postecoglou has handed younger players an opportunity to impress with the senior team in recent weeks, with Jamie Donley making his debut in the 3-3 draw against Manchester City on 3 December.
The forward was then joined by fellow 18-year-old Alfie Dorrington amongst the substitutes for the game against the Magpies on Sunday.
They are not alone in that regard, either, after several other youngsters have been called up to the matchday squad this season.
It comes as a result of the Tottenham squad being stretched over the past few weeks following the disappointing injuries suffered by several key players.
Linton, who signed his first professional deal at the club in April, has made 39 appearances for the Spurs academy, with 22 of those outings coming last season for the U-18s side.
The left-back is yet to make his senior debut, but he will be hoping his experience this week will have improved his chances of earning at least a place on the bench soon.
That could perhaps come on Friday night if Postecoglou has been impressed by the teenager’s performances after he’s previously showed he isn’t scared to hand young players opportunities.
That hasn’t been the case for Spurs under some of their previous managers as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte were criticised for failing to hand out many chances to the academy products.
That has already changed under the Aussie boss and, while they may not be homegrown talents, 21-year-old duo Destiny Udogie and Pape Matar Sarr have both nailed down places in the starting lineup this season.
The club’s academy has developed a number of talents through the years, but there are very few that come to mind that have really broken through the barrier into the first team recently.
That is something Daniel Levy will certainly be looking for Postecoglou to help change in North London as he is a positive manager, who is likely to take on the if you’re good enough, you’re old enough view.
It will be interesting to see whether Linton and any of the other promising academy products are named on the bench against Forest as these are exciting times for the younger players after the pathway to the first team has been opened up for them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, Levy could be set to splash the cash on an in-form forward.