Ange Postecoglou is building a team of obvious quality at Tottenham Hotspur, but the Australian will need more time to correct the problems that have plagued the group in recent years.
While the senior recruitment is promising, the outstanding progress made at the youth level should not be overlooked, with Wayne Burnett’s development squad leading the Premier League 2 and undefeated after 12 games.
The youth level has grown by leaps and bounds, and while Spurs have had some fantastic success with individuals starting out at the club in recent years, the machine-like structure now suggests at continued efficacy of output.
Some kids have risen to prominence, but far too many have faded into obscurity, with Josh Onomah being one of the more recent disappointments.
Josh Onomah’s Spurs Career
Onomah, an offensive midfielder, made his Premier League debut at the age of 18 under Mauricio Pochettino, coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in November 2015.
He possessed the makings of a true star: an inherent ability to handle space in enclosed situations, a keen eye for opportunities, and technical proficiency.
However, after only 32 appearances and one goal for Tottenham, Onomah was transferred to Fulham in 2019 as part of a £25 million transaction that also saw talented wideman Ryan Sessegnon leave.
While his Spurs career had ended before it got started, there was still plenty of time for success, having flourished on loan with Villa in the Championship during the 2017/18 campaign, posting four goals and three assists across 20 starts, completing 80% of his passes and 62% of his dribbles, according to Sofascore.
Onomah even compared his playing to that of Dele Alli, indicating in 2016 that he was modeling his game after the erstwhile prodigy’s skill set, saying: “They’ve all been helpful to me, and I’m learning bits and bytes from everyone really. Dele Alli is also performing quite well.
“He’s only a year older than me, and look what he’s accomplished.I am learning from him as well.”
Alli was regarded as one of football’s most intriguing talents after joining Spurs from MK Dons for about £5 million in 2015, scoring 66 direct goals in his first three Premier League seasons.
Jose Mourinho even praised the 27-year-old as “one of the world’s best,” but he has endured an extreme deterioration in recent years as a result of personal troubles and circumstances.
What Joshua Onomah is doing today
Onomah spent three seasons with Fulham as the London club fluctuated between the Premier League and the Championship, but he was always on the periphery and was released by the Cottagers in January 2023 after completing a short-term move to Preston North End on a free transfer.
His brief tenure in Lancashire may have been his final professional outing, as he only made four starts and contributed one assist before being released. He hasn’t found a club since.
Last month, League One club Bolton Wanderers were connected with a surprise free transfer for the 6-foot-1 ace, but nothing came of it.
The door has not been permanently closed, but Onomah must find a platform soon if he wants to achieve success in the professional game.
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