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Tottenham youngster Luca Williams-Barnett has spoken out after putting pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club, only days after creating history with his debut.
The last few weeks must have felt surreal for Tottenham Hotspur academy prospect Luca Williams-Barnett, who made his senior debut for Spurs in their Carabao Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers.
The midfielder, who only turned 17 yesterday, added his name to a long list of young talents who have represented Tottenham at such an early age.
In doing so, Williams-Barnett also set a record of his own, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to pull on the famous Lilywhite shirt in the Carabao Cup.
Luca Williams-Barnett reflects on Tottenham debut and first-team welcome
Luca Williams-Barnett has now taken another big stride in his Tottenham career, signing his first professional contract with the club.
The teenager has been part of the Tottenham setup for the last six years, having joined at under-10 level, and speaking with the club’s media team, he reflected on how it feels to come through the academy.
Williams-Barnett said: “I have been here for six years. I signed at under-10s. And that just dreaming about playing for this club.”
When asked about growing up a Spurs supporter, he admitted his fandom came from watching iconic figures of the past, particularly Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola.
“Yeah,” he replied when asked if Spurs were his boyhood club, before continuing: “Paul Gascoigne. He just does what he wants, really. That is what I like about him. You cannot tackle him. I like Ginola. They are probably the two.”
He also spoke about how the coaching staff pushed him to express himself on the pitch and how that advice shaped his style. “From when I had my first Ryan Hall, he just told me to express myself. Then from that day on, I just loved it. He is very funny, I will give him that, but he is honest. He wanted the best out of all of us.”.
Williams Barnett admitted that when he ran out to make his debut, he was encouraged by his teammates to go out and play without fear. “When he told me to express myself, that is when it kicked in. When I ran on the pitch, I had Brennan, like, ‘let’s go’, all of this, and when I got the ball, I just wanted to drive at them. When he gave me that hug, he was just telling me that saying just: ‘get at them, you will win it every time’. I was like: ‘ok’ and when they all came over they were like: ‘get on the ball, keep going’.”
The youngster also opened up on how it felt to settle into the senior squad environment, especially with senior players making the effort to guide him. “You go over there and you are like who do I, who do I really speak to? Me and Jun’ai and Tynan; but the first team came over and you are like: ‘ah, yeah, okay’.”
Pedro Porro, in particular, seems to have played a big role in helping him feel at ease. “Pedro Porro is always like he is always coming over to give me a hug, he is always laughing.”
“It's a step closer to where I want to be.” 💬
Luca Williams-Barnett opens up on his footballing journey so far after signing his first professional contract 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/SslPc0x1jW
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Family support and Williams Barnett’s next steps
As the teenager explained, his family have been central to his journey, supporting him through every step of his development. “Mum, Dad, sister… Dad would be telling me: ‘just be yourself’ every day. Just that. What can you do to improve?
“He wanted to make sure that I was the best player. They just ask of them bring the best out of me. They have all got that different way that they contribute to my life. They all bring the best out of me.”
He was also asked what the professional deal means to him at this stage of his career, and he made it clear he knows the hard work has only just begun. “A step closer. I am not there yet. I have got a long way to go. It is a step closer to where I want to be.”
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