Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi described Luca Williams-Barnett as a 'precious diamond' after the 17-year-old's latest pre-season showing. Williams-Barnett impressed off the bench in Wednesday's 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sydney FC following a 1-1 draw, providing an attacking spark and scoring a Panenka spot-kick.
Pre-season performances
The versatile teenager also shone in a deeper role in the second half of last week's 1-0 behind-closed-doors victory against MK Dons at Hotspur Way. He started and played an hour in Sunday's 2-0 win over Auckland FC at Eden Park.
Williams-Barnett, who joined Spurs at Under-10s level, made his senior competitive debut last September aged 16, introduced by former boss Thomas Frank in a Carabao Cup tie against Doncaster.
De Zerbi's verdict
“We have to manage him like a precious diamond,” De Zerbi said. “We have to help him to improve in the last decision. Physically, work harder to become stronger because this time of football, he needs to be strong, and to give him space when there is the right moment. I usually give time to all the young players I work with in my career, and he is a potential special player.”
Experienced Spurs defender Ben Davies also praised Williams-Barnett. “He's a really top player. He's got a lot of potential. I think you can see the qualities that he's got. I think now the next step is developing his habits in the game. But to have a player like that who's got no fear, that has the confidence to try things in games, who doesn't get affected if he loses the ball, I think he's got a bright future ahead of him,” Davies said.
