Tottenham are 'more competitive' than Arsenal in race for home-grown talent, says academy chief John McDermott

'Home-grown talent' has become a buzz word in the Premier League ever since measures were introduced requiring clubs to have eight players produced on British shores in their 25-man squads.

The mad dash to recruit the best players from around the globe still exists every summer, but there is now an emphasis - and potentially greater rewards - placed on sourcing local prospects.

Some major clubs have struggled to fulfil their quota, seemingly caught out by the numerical balancing act as Premier League football attempts to maintain some form of 'English' identity.

But other outfits - such as Tottenham - never took their eye off the ball and are already reaping the rewards of scouring their immediate surroundings for talent.

In NBC's 'Tottenham Hotspur: To Dare Is To Do' film, John McDermott, Spurs' head of coaching and player development, said: "What the club is committed to is the loyalty that comes with bringing through home-grown players.

"First of all we are in Greater London and there's 13 million people - it's a huge population.

"Our way is to try and make sure that we really dig into local talent. Once they're in there's a loyalty.

"I like to think we are now as competitive, if not more competitive, than our north London rivals."

The mention of Arsenal leads, inevitably, to Harry Kane.

The 23-year-old is the jewel in Tottenham's home-grown crown but should now be referred to as the one that got away from the Emirates Stadium, even if some Gunners fans are intent on arguing otherwise.

The striker's development - and ongoing importance to Spurs with his outstanding professional and commitment to the cause - epitomises McDermott's project at Hotspur Way.

Those with a lesser mentality may have walked away from the club after struggling for opportunities like Kane did, but the youngster stuck to his guns and is now, according to Mauricio Pochettino, one of the best forwards in world football.

"Coaching soccer players it's not something you can get a manual to," McDermott said of Kane's convoluted rise to elite level.

"Harry was quite a late maturer. He wasn't the physically most gifted at 14 but what he had was an incredible mentality and character to stick with the programme."

Kane's rise is now inspiring other hopefuls to stick with it. Harry Winks did just that.

And the 20-year-old has developed into a serious option in central midfield this season, with 29 senior appearances to his name.

The joyous embrace he shared with Pochettino after netting his first Premier League goal spoke volumes.

A player can be excused for allowing selfishness to take hold after such a key event but Winks - with ecstasy etched across his face - was determined to ensure the limelight was divided between him and his Argentine coach.

The word is out - Pochettino is willing to give youngsters a chance. The message appears to be simple - put in the work and you will be rewarded.

However, talent alone is not enough to secure opportunities. A substantial emphasis is placed on attitude at Spurs and, in an era when youngsters are often accused of having 'too much, too young', surely that can be no bad thing.

"It's not just the technical or tactical aspects," McDermott continued. "A lot of it with Mauricio and a lot of what we try and engender here is what their character is like. Are they honest? Are they hard working?

"With Mauricio it's how they live - not just a motto or a logo - they've got to be truly respectful."

Perhaps such demands are unsurprising given Pochettino has introduced a handshake regime which requires all of his players to exchange pleasantries prior to a training session.

Sure, individuals can shine. But no-one can lose sight of the team.

"He's trying to get that balance of the individual pushing themselves to get personal bests and excel but he [the player] must be able to do that within the context of a team.

"Trying to find that balance is not the science it's the art of the coach."

Those not willing to put in the graft, need not apply: "Ultimately you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.

"That's what we say with the young players. It's essential they are intrinsically motivated."

With a man as driven as Pochettino at the helm; such crucial characteristics should soon be second nature for an entire generation of Spurs youngsters.