Five Tottenham academy stars who could save club millions in transfer fees

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Tottenham are known for spending frugally at the best of times but the devastating financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to leave the club even more reliant on their academy.

With massive stadium debuts to repay, the lockdown is set to hit Spurs harder than their top-six rivals, particularly as they are facing the unwelcome prospect of missing out on European football if the league season is decided on a points-per-game basis.

Indeed, Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, has already advised supporters that missing out on Champions League qualification would reduce manager Jose Mourinho's ability to spend in the transfer market said talk of big-spending in the circumstances is flippant.

"When I read or hear stories about player transfers this summer like nothing has happened, people need to wake up to the enormity of what is happening around us," Levy said last month.

Spurs have a rich history of promoting academy players, and the club will be hoping their latest batch of talent can help save them precious millions in the aftermath of the crisis.

Here are the prospects who could save Spurs millions...

Mourinho's decision to throw Tanganga in at the deep end against Liverpool in January has probably saved Tottenham millions already.

Getty Images

The 21-year-old may be unpolished but he has already proven he can hold his own in the Premier League and offers invaluable cover across the back four. Mourinho has so far been reluctant to use Tanganga in his favoured position at centre-half but, with creativity going to be essential in rebuilding the squad, the manager may have to consider him as a long-term replacement for Jan Vertonghen, who is considering leaving Spurs when his contract expires on June 30.

Troy Parrott

The next great hope of the Tottenham academy, it has often felt as though Parrott has been discussed by Mourinho more than any other player – despite having repeatedly been declared "not ready" by the Portuguese.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

An 18-year-old, who has a superb touch and an uncanny ability to win fouls, there is little doubt about the Republic of Ireland international's potential but Mourinho remained reluctant to play him even after Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Steven Bergwijn succumbed to injury.

It therefore seems unlikely that Parrott will be catapulted into the limelight any time soon but he remains a prodigious prospect for the future.

The left-back is just 18 but he has already been mentioned by Mourinho as a future prospect and been included in a match-day squad.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

With Danny Rose, currently on loan at Newcastle, having surely played his last game for Spurs, they need a left-back to compete with or even replace Ben Davies.

Next season will surely come too soon for Cirkin but if Spurs can muddle on with Davies, Ryan Sessegnon and Tanganga, then Cirkin could be a long-term answer at left-back if he continues his trajectory.

Already a Champions League player, having made his debut in the dying seconds of the last-16 second leg defeat at RB Leipzig last month on the day before his 18th birthday, Walcott is highly-rated by Mourinho.

AFP via Getty Images

The versatile defender has often trained with the senior squad this season and the departure of Luis Binks – another highly-rated academy centre-half – has helped to clear his path to the first-team. Evidently, Walcott is a talent but it would take a big leap of faith for Mourinho to promote him to the senior squad on a permanent basis.

One of Bowden or White can usually be found dictating the play from central midfield for Spurs' U-18s.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

White, who can also play at left-back, is a set-piece specialist who likes to get forward, while Bowden is a deep-lying playmaker and not dissimilar to Harry Winks.

Spurs are well-stocked in the middle of the park, particularly with Mourinho willing to give Oliver Skipp a go before the shutdown, but one of Bowden or White will be next in line for a breakthrough if a space opens up.

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