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Micah Richards makes admission about Mikey Moore after Tottenham’s defeat to Aston Villa
Mikey Moore made his 16th appearance of the season for Tottenham Hotspur during their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Before the game, many thought that Moore might replace Son Heung-min on the left given that the Tottenham captain has looked fatigued of late.
Ange Postecoglou said Son needed a rest recently, but the Spurs boss actually opted to start Moore✤ in addition to the South Korean, beginning the youngster on the right.
♛And with Son playing through the middle, Moore actually provided a brilliant ball for his captain to bring the game back to 1-1 in the first half, a chance that wasn’t taken.
🐬Thereafter, Moore was substituted at the break, something which also happened in Spurs’ recent 2-0 away win at Brentford.
ꦜOn both occasions the 17-year-old was replaced by a midfielder, a tactical switch to beef up the middle of the park.
Micah Richards says Mikey Moore is ‘finding it difficult’ despite his superb talent
That being said, Micah Richardsཧ sympathised with Moore somewhat on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast following another early substitution.
🐟Speaking alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, Richard said that Moore had been thriving in Europe but hadn’t quite found his comfort zone against Premier League sides just yet.
READ MORE: ꦦWhat Mathys Tel did immediately after Tottenham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa in the FA Cup
♌He said: “Mikey Moore, unfortunately, I think he’s been taking off at half time in his two last games. He’s doing really well in Europe, but he’s finding it difficult.
🍸Lineker replied: “He did hit a great cross for Son’s chance, though. That was a really good ball in his, you know. And he’s only 17, isn’t he?”
✅Richards: “But he’s really good, but because Spurs have been struggling, he’s not been able to show his best self.
🌱“And when you’re playing in sometimes a lesser team in Europe, he looks really good. So I was gutted when he got brought off at half time.”
🌌Shearer added: “You’re right about the midfield. I made the point in core comms about how easy it was for Villa to just play right through the middle of Tottenham, because there was no bite in there.
𒈔“So he had to do something at half time and change that.
⛎“And it was a bit harsh on young Mikey Moore, but someone had to come off, because they had to stiffen up in the midfield, because it was too easy for Aston Villa.”
Tottenham’s youngsters are in safe hands with Ange Postecoglou
♔Of course, it does still feel as if Postecoglou is protecting his youngster somewhat, and might have even pre-planned both subs.
Archie Gray is thriving for Tottenham▨ right now despite the club’s struggles, but he’s at a completely different stage of his career in comparison to Moore.
ওGray already has a whole season of Championship football for a club like Leeds United under his belt, an atmosphere at Elland Road that can be a pressure cooker.
💦And in reality, Postecoglou probably wouldn’t have wanted Moore to make his breakthrough when Spurs were desperate for results, even if there might be some long-term benefit.
𒊎Either way, Moore is clearly a top talent, a player who will go on to star for Tottenham and England in the future.