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Josh Onomah is being given a Tottenham lifeline

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Alberto Moreno of Liverpool (L) is fouled by Joshua Onomah of Tottenaham Hotspur (R) during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 25, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Alberto Moreno of Liverpool (L) is fouled by Joshua Onomah of Tottenaham Hotspur (R) during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 25, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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Josh Onomah used to be one of Tottenham’s brightest young prospects. Now, the English youngster is likely down to his last chance at Spurs. 

When Mauricio Pochettino first arrived at Tottenham he made a promise to supporters to promote youth whenever possible. Early on, it looked like Josh Onomah was certainly going to turn into a Spurs success story. Now, he’s fighting for his last chance at the North London club.

Frankly, Onomah is lucky that he’s in line to start the season with Tottenham’s senior squad. He likely would have been loaned out if not for the injury crisis that’s hit the Spurs’ midfield. Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko are all major doubts to start the season due to their respective injuries. It’s very possible Onomah could find himself in Pochettino’s starting XI in the opening fixture against Newcastle.

That news will be disappointing to Fulham and Burnley. Both Premier League sides were hoping to bring Onomah in to strengthen their squads on loan. As it stands, Tottenham simply don’t have the numbers in midfield to let the young Englishman leave.

It’s imperative that Onomah seize this opportunity. His once promising career has really started to flounder over the last 12 months. He got plenty of playing time in the Championship for Aston Villa, but he was unable to really distinguish himself there. His own injury has kept him out of Pochettino’s preseason squad to date as well.

The overarching question about Onomah’s game is what position he should play for Tottenham. He may get a big break if Pochettino elects to go with a three-man midfield this season. Onomah is caught between being a defensive or attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 setup. His athleticism could make him an ideal player to serve as either a right or left midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.

The reality is the opening weeks of the 2018-19 season will be make or break for Onomah. If he can work his way into Pochettino’s starting lineup he might be able to keep the spot for the foreseeable future. He has that type of talent.

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If, on the other hand, he’s overtaken by the likes of Luke Amos and/or Oliver Skipp in the midfield, he won’t last with Tottenham past January. It’s a high stakes period of time for Onomah.

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