The wonderkid who can give Antonio Conte exactly what Tottenham are missing


Dilan Markanday has won the October Player of the Month award for the Tottenham U23s.

The 20-year-old has been excelling for the academy, scoring four goals in as many games last month and is impressing all at Spurs.

Markanday also made his first team debut in October, during the 1-0 defeat against Vitesse, where he was the only youngster from the bench used.

In Antonio Conte’s first two games in charge, he hasn’t chosen the academy player in either of his matchday squads, but he may reconsider his choice in the near future.

Markanday was nominated for the award in April and August this year, so it was third time lucky for him to fight off his competition and come out on top.

The midfielder explained his pride of winning the award.

“I’m really happy and proud to win this award – I want to use it as added fuel and motivation to keep developing and working every day to improve,” he said.

“It feels really good to be recognised in this way, especially as there were a number of talented players from across the league competing for the award too.

“Now I just need to keep going, keep improving and see what the future holds,” he added.



A number of academy youngsters were in first team training with Antonio Conte last week.
A number of academy youngsters were in first team training with Antonio Conte last week.

Spurs’ academy manager, Dean Rastick, also described his delight with his player’s recognition.

“We’re very proud that Dilan has won this award – he’s a very grounded and intelligent young man who recognises what this Under-23 award means, but also knows the hard work that’s still going to be required as he continues to develop with the overall aim of eventually transitioning into first team football,” he said.

“We’re obviously delighted that he recently made an important piece of history as the first British Asian to represent our first team in a competitive game – the challenge now is to keep developing and improving.”

What is even more striking is that Markanday has scored more goals in the Premier League 2 than the Lilywhites first team have scored between them in the Premier League.

Tottenham have struggled in the final third so far this campaign, having only scored nine goals in 11 league games and have gone more than two games without a shot on target.

Harry Kane has only scored one league goal, with some blaming the England captain’s form, whilst others have blamed the lack of service he has been provided.

The 20-year-old isn’t even a striker, with his favoured position being on the wing but has scored ten goals in as many games and if he continues his hard work, he may give Conte something to think about.

Markanday’s teammate, Dane Scarlett has been on the bench a number of times this season, under Nuno Espirito Santo and in the Italian’s first fixture in charge against Vitesse.

However, it remains to be seen how much game time he will be given and both players are likely to need a bit more time to develop before breaking into the regular first team, although a number of youngsters were spotted training with the first team last week.

However, if Markanday continues to perform it may not be long until he is given a chance by the new first team boss, as he has alluded to in previous comments on young players.

“If you are good enough to play with a great team, you play. Every coach wants to win,” Conte has said.

For now, the winger will have to continue his hard work and development with the academy, to try and catch the eye of the Italian.

Spurs’ next game and first after the third international break of the season is a league fixture against Leeds, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.





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