Tottenham Under-21s progression clear as goalkeeper Josh Keeley earns north London loan with Barnet
Nothing is more beneficial for a young player than gaining valuable experience in first-team men’s football, which is exactly what Tottenham Under-21s goalkeeper Josh Keeley is set to do.
Spurs’ Under-21s are flying high. Wayne Burnett’s side sit top of Premier League 2 having won every game in the competition, while they have also won each of their four Premier League Cup outings so far this year.
Their 100 per cent record against Under-21 opposition this season is down to some big performances, most notably from the likes of Jamie Donley, Alfie Dorrington and Jude Soonsup-Bell.
As wonderful as it is for these players to be winning week in and week out at youth level, when the displays get too strong, as they have done for Spurs’ cohort this year, loan moves are an absolute must.
Young players need to consistently be pushed and tested, especially when they are excelling at their current level, and few things are better for the development of a young player than the experience of some good old-fashioned senior football at National League level, which is exactly where Keeley will be playing the rest of his football this season.
Spurs confirmed via their academy’s official X account (4 January) that the 20-year-old has joined Barnet on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Keeley has been a key player for Spurs’ Under-21s during the current campaign, starting six of their nine Premier League 2 matches and all three of their EFL trophy outings.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been in fine form, keeping four clean sheets from his six starts in the league, as well as registering one shutout in the EFL Trophy.
On the international stage, the shot-stopper started all five of his nation’s Under-21 European Qualifying Championship matches in September and October, with the Republic of Ireland winning three of their five games and sitting second in Group A.
Not only is Keeley joining up with a National League side, but he is joining one that is flying high, with Barnet currently sitting third, nine points ahead of fourth-placed Solihull Moors, and three points behind Bromley in second, with a game in hand.
Hopefully, for Keeley and Tottenham, the youngster will gain plenty of valuable experience and get some minutes on the pitch with the Bees, and return to Hotspur Way next summer a much more complete player who is ready to step up, either by pushing into the first-team picture or securing a loan switch higher up the leagues.
In other Tottenham news, one Spurs expert believes the time is right for one winger to quit the club in January.