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Tottenham starlet’s career at Spurs is over

By Rucker Haringey

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Joshua Onomah of England celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA European Under 21 Championship Group 4 Qualifier between England and Scotland at Riverside Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Joshua Onomah of England celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA European Under 21 Championship Group 4 Qualifier between England and Scotland at Riverside Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /
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Josh Onomah seemed to be destined for greatness at Tottenham, but now Mauricio Pochettino has placed his Spurs career in serious doubt.

Mauricio Pochettino has done an excellent job of bringing young talent through at Tottenham, but there isn’t room for everyone in his plans. It seems that Josh Onomah is going to be the latest Spurs starlet to have his hopes dashed by the Argentine gaffer.

The English midfielder was one of the more intriguing omissions from the Tottenham squad headed on tour to the US next week. On the surface, Onomah seems like the perfect sort of player to trot out during these types of exhibitions. Pochettino heads to America short of 10 players due to their World Cup responsibilities.

In other words, he has to go with youth. Onomah isn’t the youngest player in the squad, but the 21-year-old midfielder is reasonably experienced. He spent last season on loan at Aston Villa and earned significant minutes in the Championship. Naturally, he believes his next step will be to move up to a Premier League club.

It’s fairly obvious that won’t happen at Tottenham. The real issue with his game is that he doesn’t really excel at any position in Pochettino’s squad. He lacks the physicality to really play well as a defensive midfielder. Onomah shows excellent passing range from deep, but he’s not special enough to control a Premier League match from deep.

His body type seems more suited to play as an attacker, but his offensive game simply hasn’t progressed as anyone hoped. He possesses average speed, but he’s not fast enough to threaten defences with his pace. Similarly, he is an adequate finisher, but his mediocre goal totals make it obvious he isn’t an offensive savant.

The unfortunate truth is that Onomah has flattened out as a prospect. He may find a home for a lesser Premier League club, but unless he finds a new, top-notch skill in the next couple of seasons he’s never going to be difference maker in the Premier League. Onomah is simply too average and ordinary to be an attractive player for a club trying to win significant silverware.

Next: Grealish will be Pochettino's next project

In the end, Spurs fans should look for Onomah to be sold this summer. It’s possible Pochettino may give him another year out on loan, but he seems to have worn out his welcome for the North London club. Some Tottenham fans will despair at his departure, but it’s the price Spurs must pay for progress.

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