Spotted: Nile John trains with Tottenham first-team ahead of Premier League clash v Manchester United
A considerable amount of time has passed since Nile John burst onto the scene at Tottenham, with the midfielder’s career yet to really take off in north London.
Just a few short years ago, John was one of the most exciting young names coming out of Hotspur Way.
Former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho handed the then-17-year-old his senior debut for the club when he brought him off the bench in a UEFA Europa League knockout tie with Wolfsberger AC (24 February 2021).
At the end of that same campaign, he was named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time by caretaker boss Ryan Mason for the final game of that season at Leicester City.
Nuno Espirito Santo handed the gem a start in a Europa Conference League qualifier at Pacos de Ferreira the following season (19 August 2021), although once Antonio Conte arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the youngster’s progression was suddenly stalled.
He was sent out on an unsuccessful loan to Charlton Athletic for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, where he failed to play a single minute for the club, and was not seen once in any of Spurs’ senior squads during the 2022/23 season.
It is a strange twist of fortune for a player who seemed destined to explode in a Tottenham shirt, although he might have now been handed a lifeline with Ange Postecoglou at the helm.
Postecoglou is a manager who likes to give youth a chance, as he has already proven by handing in-form Under-21s striker Jamie Donley his senior debut for the club, while the 58-year-old also appreciates a versatile midfielder with an eye for goal.
John certainly falls into that category of player. Across his nine appearances for the Under-21s this season, he has scored three goals, and provided one assist, while playing in a variety of positions, including as a central midfielder, right-winger and centre-forward.
He is slightly more experienced than his Under-21 teammates, and it is surprising that he has not yet been seen in a first-team squad under Postecoglou. However, that might all be about to change.
In a recent video posted to Spurs’ official X platform (9 January), John can be spotted training with the club’s first team, as pointed out by our exclusive columnist Lilywhite Rose.
With Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all suddenly unavailable due to their commitments at both the Asia Cup and African Cup of Nations across January and February, a few spots have opened up in the first-team picture.
John is no stranger to this type of opportunity, and could now use this latest chance to prove to Postecoglou that he is the type of midfielder the Australian can get the best out of.
With his 21st birthday just around the corner, John will be ready to push on and finally display that potential he showed in glimpses over two-and-a-half years ago now, and Postecoglou could be the perfect manager to help him do exactly that.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou has been handed a welcome bit of news with one 91 per cent ace in line to return from injury when the club host Manchester City in the FA Cup.