'The heir'- Prodigious Tottenham teen drawing Ledley King comparison

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Jainil Shah | Last updated Oct 14, 2024 11:36 AM ET

Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur have been blessed with a plethora of young talents who can make a long-lasting impact at White Hart Lane, and this influx of highly regarded young players in the academy at Hotspur Way can help Daniel Levy‘s aim to create a self-feeding pipeline at the club that can reciprocate to what some of the European elites already have at their disposal.

And we have seen ample of talents coming through to the first team from the academy, especially in the Europa League campaign this season.

And according to John Wenham, owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, the Lilywhites have another highly regarded talent among the ranks at N17 who can go on to replicate the legendary Ledley King. The podcast host thinks that the North Londoners Under-18 defender Junai Byfield has the potential to become an icon at White Hart Lane.

While Lucá Williams-Barnett cannot stop scoring for the Under-18s at the mere age of 16, Wenham thinks that Junai Byfield can bypass all the talents in the age group at the moment.

Tottenham’s Byfield compared to King

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Wenham said:

“Williams-Barnett isn’t even the top outstanding prospect in that group, which is mind-blowing. I believe Byfield has the most potential. He is a central defender, which means he won’t get the credit of forwards with the goals and assists they provide.

“However, he is outstanding. I think Tottenham might finally have somebody who could be the heir to King. A defender who can come through the academy and make a real impact on the first team.”

It is too early to claim whether Junai Byfield can go on to replicate Ledley King, but this complement does show Wenham’s belief in the starlet’s potential. While King was never able to replicate his potential owing to injuries, Junai Byfield would be hoping to go one step further, and even if the 16-year-old is half the talent that King was, then Ange and Tottenham have a gem in their hands.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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