Yago Santiago must learn from Harry Kane as he looks to make a name at Tottenham
Some players are late bloomers, and Tottenham Under-21 star Yago Santiago certainly fits into that category.
A lot of young players burst onto the scene when they are 17 or 18 years old, as supporters of their club start to dream about that player becoming the next big thing.
The likes of Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold spring to mind. However, some players take a little bit longer to find their feet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still turn into extraordinary stars with the quality of those two.
It took Harry Kane until his early twenties to become a regular in the Tottenham first-team, and he went on to become the club’s record goalscorer. After multiple failed loans, it would have been easy for Spurs to give up on him, but instead, they stuck by the youngster, and the rest is history.
When Santiago was 18 years old, he was struggling for Spurs’ Under-21s, scoring just one goal and providing two assists in 24 Premier League 2 appearances during the 2021/22 season.
Just like Kane, it would have been easy to cut ties with Santiago, but the club stuck by him and are now reaping the rewards.
Fast forward to the 2023/24 campaign, Santiago, who is just three months away from celebrating his 21st birthday, is dominating at Under-21 level, and his form should now be recognised with some first-team minutes.
Wayne Burnett’s side sits top of Premier League 2 having won all nine of their games in the competition this season, and forward Santiago has started every single one of those matches.
The Spaniard has six goals and four assists, playing exclusively on the left wing – a position which Spurs could certainly use some help filling with Son Heung-min currently away competing at the Asia Cup with South Korea.
During the 4-2 win against Chelsea Under-21s on 2 October, Santiago netted and provided two assists, demonstrating he knows what it takes to play in some of Spurs’ most important fixtures.
Santiago has been patiently awaiting an opportunity at Hotspur Way and now seems like the best time to hand it to him.
While it is of course a long shot to suggest he can turn into even half of the player Kane did at this moment in time, he can certainly relate to the England captain when it comes to awaiting an opportunity and deserves to finally be given a chance to prove whether or not he can succeed in north London.
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