Tottenham: The next Harry Kane, an outstanding defender and the best young stars set for big 2024

When Ange Postecoglou was named Tottenham head coach in June, he was mandated with not only improving the club's style and results but re-establishing the pathway from academy to first-team.

Postecoglou has already shown a willingness to use young players and he will hope to blood talent from the academy in the years ahead.

Standard Sport picks out three young Spurs talents set for a big 2024...

Ashley Phillips

The 18-year-old would surely have played for the first team already had he not suffered an injury on England youth duty in November.

Now nearing fitness again, Phillips is likely to get his opportunity in the New Year, particularly if Spurs continue to suffer injuries and suspensions at the back.

Recruited from Blackburn in a cut-price summer deal, the imposing young centre-back has already played a handful of games in the Championship and is considered an outstanding prospect - a modern defender, who is excellent on the ball.

Few teenagers are trusted to play every week at centre-back in the Premier League, however, so a loan may be his next move, but given Postecoglou willingness to thrust youngsters into the first-team, it should not be long before he makes an impact at Spurs.

Jamie Donley

The 18-year-old has made late cameos in the Premier League games against Manchester City - some debut - and Newcastle in recent weeks, suggesting he is edging closer to significant minutes for Ange Postecoglou's side.

Donley is a technical forward who has earned lofty comparisons with Harry Kane, in part due to style of play and habit of drifting between No9 and No10.

He was named Premier League 2's player of the month for October and already boasts six goals and 11 assists from just 11 appearances this term, including three in the EFL Trophy, but now trains with the first-team full-time.

Postecoglou has said the teenager has "a long way to go" and suggested a loan move is likely to be the next step in his development, which could come in January.

Alejo Veliz

When the 20-year-old forward joined Spurs from Argentine club Rosario Central in the summer, Postecoglou did not expect him to make an appearance until the second half of this season.

But Veliz's outstanding contributions in training, as well as Spurs' mounting injuries, have accelerated his integration, and he has already made a handful of cameos in the top flight and scored his first goal in the 4-2 loss at Brighton on December 28.

The young forward will need more time to adapt to his new surroundings and English football but he is a physical and technically gifted centre-forward, who is expected to be a good fit for the Premier League in time.

More opportunities beckon in 2024, particularly when he has had a full pre-season at Spurs.