Alan Hutton has advised Mikey Moore that it’s now up to him to earn his place at Tottenham or risk being moved on, following recent developments in his contract situation.
Tottenham announced on Monday, 12 August, that the 17-year-old has signed his first professional contract with the club, after making his debut for the first team against Manchester City last season.
The new deal, reportedly lasting three years, is a record-breaking one for Spurs, as it includes the highest wage they’ve ever offered a player before turning 17, according to The Athletic on 6 July.
Hutton believes that Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is willing to give Moore a chance in the first team this season, but it will ultimately depend on Moore proving that he has what it takes to play regularly in the Premier League.
“I think if they’re good enough, he’ll give them an opportunity,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“But they’re going to have to work really hard. I’ve seen Ange at Celtic and now at Spurs, and we’ve seen the way that he plays—it’s so intense.
You even see him in pre-season, shouting at the players. He wants them to go man for man, he wants them to be aggressive, and it’s tough for a young player to reach that level.
“But given that they’re now offering new contracts to young players, there has to be a pathway to the first team. Otherwise, what’s the point of having a youth development system?
“You need to bring these young players through, and I think Ange is the kind of manager who will give them a chance if they’re good enough.
“The ball is really in their court. If they can reach the required level, they’ll get their chance. If not, they’ll be moved on.”
Will Mikey Moore leave Tottenham on loan after signing his new contract?
Everyone at Spurs clearly believes that Moore has the potential to break into the first team sooner rather than later; otherwise, they wouldn’t have offered him such a significant first professional contract.
But now it’s up to the teenager to push forward and earn his place in the first team over the coming weeks and months, as he will likely be treated just like any other member of Postecoglou’s squad.
In his brief appearances last season and during pre-season, Moore showed that he has the talent to be a special player. However, now it’s his responsibility to prove that he can perform on the biggest stage.
Fans will hopefully get to see plenty of him this season, as he is truly a special talent.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs have been advised to reconsider their approach to signing Eberechi Eze after new developments emerged regarding his potential departure from Crystal Palace.
