adminAmid the turmoil Tottenham Hotspur have endured in recent years, the club’s academy has remained one of the few consistent sources of optimism.
Despite finishing 17th last season and narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship, Spurs continue to produce some of the most exciting young talents in English football.
Luca Williams-Barnett has impressed during pre-season, while Jamie Donley, Malachi Hardy and Mikey Moore have also caught the eye under Roberto De Zerbi.
Moore, in particular, produced an outstanding display on Saturday as Tottenham cruised to a 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim.
How Mikey Moore Has Impressed During Pre-Season
The 19-year-old winger has long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from Tottenham’s academy since Harry Kane.
While Moore may not ultimately reach Kane’s incredible level of success or global status, there is little doubt that the young forward possesses the talent to enjoy a promising career.
Last season, Moore gained valuable senior experience during his spell with Rangers. Although the Scottish giants endured an inconsistent campaign, the youngster still managed seven goals and four assists.
Another loan move could be on the cards, but Moore has certainly given De Zerbi something to think about with his pre-season performances.
He featured in victories against MK Dons, Auckland FC, Chelsea and Hoffenheim, saving his most impressive showing for the German side.
Moore scored twice in Tottenham’s 3-0 win, with both goals arriving after the interval and both being created by Mathys Tel.
Playing from the left, Tel produced excellent work for the first goal, cutting through several Hoffenheim defenders before setting Moore up to finish.
The second required more from Moore himself. He controlled the ball, moved beyond his marker and calmly placed his finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Whether that performance will convince De Zerbi to keep him in the first-team squad remains uncertain. Unfortunately for Moore, the arrival of another winger could make his path to regular football even more difficult.
Tottenham Closing In On Another Winger
Adding attacking quality is one of Tottenham’s priorities, and the club’s recruitment team appears determined to give De Zerbi more options before the transfer window closes.
Spurs have been linked with several high-profile forwards, including Victor Osimhen, Nicolas Jackson and Folarin Balogun, while the club are also exploring moves for top-quality wide players.
Manchester City winger Savinho is reportedly edging closer to a potential move to north London, but Tottenham could also be making progress in their pursuit of Liverpool star Cody Gakpo.
According to TEAMtalk, Gakpo has informed Liverpool that he wants to leave Anfield and join Tottenham this summer.
Discussions have reportedly already taken place, with the Dutch international said to have agreed personal terms with Spurs. However, Liverpool are unlikely to approve his departure unless they can bring in two replacements before the September deadline.
A potential £70 million deal would represent another major investment from Tottenham and could have serious consequences for Moore’s first-team prospects.
The academy graduate was already facing limited opportunities, meaning a loan move could be the best option for his development. In the longer term, however, Gakpo’s arrival could make his route into the starting XI even more challenging.
Moore has previously admitted that playing on the right side is not his preferred role, despite his impressive performance there against Hoffenheim.
“It is a little bit different for me, but I have got a lot of experience playing there,” Moore explained. “It’s not my most comfortable, but I think I can do a good job there.”
His natural position is on the left, which happens to be Gakpo’s preferred role as well.
The Liverpool forward played predominantly on the left last season, featuring there in 35 of his 52 appearances and recording eight goals and five assists. He also spent 43 of his 49 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign operating from that side, scoring 18 goals in the process.
That highlights the difference between the two players at this stage of their careers.
Moore remains an exciting but relatively inexperienced prospect, particularly when it comes to Premier League football. Gakpo, meanwhile, is an established international and top-level player who could immediately contribute to Tottenham’s ambitions.
With his pace, creativity, physical ability and eye for goal, Gakpo could provide the kind of attacking threat Spurs have missed since the departure of Heung-min Son.
Tottenham struggled to get consistent production from the left side last season despite using players such as Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons in that position.
Gakpo could potentially solve that problem, but his arrival would make life considerably more difficult for Moore.
For the young winger, another loan spell may therefore be necessary. It would give him the opportunity to gain regular first-team football, develop his game and return to Tottenham better prepared to challenge established players for a starting position in the future.
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