Muhammad Awwal AbubakarAnge Postecoglou’s decision to hand 17-year-old sensation Mikey Moore his first Premier League start against Crystal Palace prove to be a development moment in Tottenham Hotspur’s history.
In doing so, Moore became the youngest Spurs player to start a league match in over three decades for the Lilywhites.
Moore’s recent form had earned him a nod from Postecoglou after impressive outings in the Europa League against Dutch powerhouse AZ Alkmaar, where his fearless style and exciting play drew praise from both fans and analysts alike.
With captain Heung-min Son sidelined due to fitness issues and Wilson Odobert still not fully fit for matches, Postecoglou was left with three choices, stick with Timo Werner, shift Richarlison out of position, or trust the young winger. The manager chose the latter, much to the excitement of the Tottenham supporters.
As per OptaJoe, Moore, at 17 years and 77 days, is the youngest player to start for Spurs since Stephen Carr, who debuted at 17 years and 28 days in 1993.
While Moore is still short of that record, his emergence signals a promising future for both the club and the talented youngster.
The decision to start Moore, irrespective of the final scoreline against Palace, was absolutely justified. He has been building momentum through his performances in European competition and requires more opportunities at the highest level to continue his development.
Despite the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Palace, Moore’s inclusion represents a positive step forward for Tottenham, as the club has now shown interest in using homegrown players, particularly their academy boys.
The team has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent form, but Moore’s contributions could prove invaluable in the weeks ahead. The experience he gains now may set the foundation for a fruitful career with the Lilywhites as the year progresses.
Muhammad Awwal Abubakar
