Tottenham Hotspur's prodigy Mikey Moore is drawing comparisons to Adel Taarabt, and it's up to Spurs' stars like Son Heung-min to ensure the youngster stays on track. The 16-year-old sensation has been lighting up pre-season with goals against Hearts and a decisive strike in the 3-2 victory over Vissel Kobe.
Moore made history as Tottenham's youngest Premier League player with his appearance against Manchester City last term, and he's tipped to be a fixture in the senior squad this season. Lauded as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Spurs' ranks in recent times, the club is mindful of the parallels drawn by a former academy coach to Taarabt, whose career was marred by disciplinary issues.
In an interview with The Athletic, the coach praised Moore's exceptional ball skills, likening them to those of the ex-Tottenham and Morocco wizard, who now showcases his flair in Dubai with Al-Nasr. "He is a special talent," the unnamed former youth coach admitted.
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"He has great technique. It's hard (to compare him). He's like a throwback player. In terms of his skill and ability, he is a bit like (former Tottenham and Morocco forward) Adel Taarabt."
The tale of Adel Taarabt, who dazzled with his ball skills but only made a mere 15 appearances for Tottenham before being offloaded, stands as a stark reminder that raw talent doesn't always translate to success. The now 35-year-old is often viewed as a player who didn't quite live up to the immense potential he displayed in his youth, reports Football London.
Simon Davies, the head of Spurs' academy, echoed this sentiment in May while discussing Moore. "It's encouraging that the manager sees something in Mikey but it is just potential at the moment," he said. "He's a 16-year-old boy. He's not 17 until August, so he's a young boy with high potential. We have several of them in the academy.
"It's exciting for the academy to have a player so young on the bench. But we have to stay calm and consistent. Because at the moment, it is just [potential]. I spoke to him this morning while he was having his breakfast about staying calm and consistent and keep working hard every day, do the small things right [because] the small things get noticed.
"He's super mature for a young boy so let's hope his potential is fulfilled but unfortunately we haven't got a crystal ball. So we just have to do all the things right every day and stay consistent and calm."
In an effort to ensure Moore's continued development at the senior level, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has identified Son Heung-min as a pivotal figure in the dressing room, lauding his attitude and drive.
"You've just heard Sonny at 32 yearsold, and he's done just about everything in the game but they still think they can improve," he said. "You have to have that mindset, whether you're 16 or 32, or god forbid you're 58 like me, you can always improve.
"If you have that mindset, particularly in football, but in elite sport, it doesn't always guarantee you'll be successful but it guarantees you'll get the maximum out of your career."
He also praised the mix of youth and experience within the squad: "The beauty for me is we have a lot of young players, but alongside Sonny, players like Ben Davies and other experienced players who set the right example every day. That's important."
