Tottenham manager praises young players but doesn’t embrace ‘Ange’s Angels’ nickname
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou commended his four teenage starters after they contributed to a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Despite their impressive performance, Postecoglou is not keen on labelling them as ‘Ange’s Angels’ just yet.
In a youthful Tottenham side that included four teenagers, academy graduates Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear made their full debuts and played a crucial role in setting up Pape Sarr’s opening goal in the 23rd minute. The atmosphere at Groupama Arena was intense, but Tottenham substitute Brennan Johnson sealed the win with a well-taken goal in the 86th minute, extending his scoring streak to five games.
Although Ferencvaros managed to pull one back through Barnabas Varga in stoppage time, Tottenham, with an average age of 23, held on to claim the victory. Teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall also started the match alongside the more experienced players.
When asked about the possibility of his young players being referred to as ‘Ange’s Angels’ akin to famous youth teams like the Busby Babes and Fergie’s Fledglings, Postecoglou laughed off the suggestion. He emphasised that the young players have earned their places in the squad based on merit and stressed the importance of their development in the team.
One standout performer was Mikey Moore, who became Tottenham’s youngest player in the Premier League in May. Postecoglou praised the 17-year-old for his outstanding performance in Budapest and highlighted his potential for growth as a footballer. Moore’s contributions included creating Sarr’s goal and providing key passes during the match.
Postecoglou also acknowledged the team’s overall progress, with Pedro Porro and Johnson hitting the post while Ferencvaros had a goal disallowed for offside early in the game. Ferencvaros manager Pascal Jansen expressed frustration at the decision but credited his team for creating scoring opportunities against a tough opponent.
The victory showcased Tottenham’s promising young talents and their ability to compete at a high level in European competition. As they continue to develop, the young players are expected to play a crucial role in the team’s long-term success under Postecoglou’s guidance.