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‘Outstanding’ 16-year-old called up by Ange Postecoglou for Tottenham’s clash against Galatasaray

Brogan Clasper

Wed 6 November 2024 13:15, UK

Tottenham Hotspur are heading straight back into action following their win on the weekend against Aston Villa.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are now heading to Istanbul, Turkey where a Europa League clash against Galatasaray awaits them.

Jose Mourinho has tipped Spurs to win the Europa League but Thursday night does feel like it could be Tottenham’s toughest task yet.

Frustratingly, Spurs will be making the trip to Istanbul with a depleted side due to a number of injuries which have emerged over recent games.

Cristian Romero will be absent for around 10 days with a toe injury which he sustained in the game on the weekend against Villa.

And the absences of some of Tottenham’s most important players has left Postecoglou making some unexpected call-ups for the travelling squad on Thursday.

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Tottenham call up Luca Williams-Barnett for Galatasaray clash

With Tottenham struggling through their latest injury crisis, Postecoglou has had to get creative with his traveling squad.

Included in the side is 16-year-old midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett who was spotted boarding the plane to Turkey on Wednesday.

Williams-Barnett is not a player who has featured under Postecoglou before but he does join a host of young talent to be selected by the Australian.

Mikey Moore has been hailed by Postecoglou having grown into the first team squad over the early stages of this season.

But Williams-Barnett is not the only youngster called up with 17-year-old midfielder Callum Olusesi spotted boarding the plane.

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Who is Luca Williams-Barnet?

The 16-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a bright start to the campaign with the Spurs U18s side but is yet to feature at U21 level in the Premier League 2.

His efforts have also seen Williams-Barnett feature regularly for England’s U17s with three caps to his name in this season alone.

But it is in the U18 Premier League where the Tottenham youngster has shone and clearly caught the attention of Postecoglou.

And his manager at U18 level having hailed him as ‘outstanding’.

“Luca has been outstanding so far this season – his goal contributions and assists have been a real positive for us all and today you could see some of the quality that he has in those moments,” he said earlier this season.

The youngster is likely just making up the numbers with any action on the pitch unexpected but what a talent Spurs seem to have on their hands.