Tottenham Hotspur have made a real name for themselves in recent years when it comes to giving young players a chance.
The likes of Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray have all been impressing for Spurs after joining the club as youngsters.
Tottenham also signed Wilson Odobert last summer, but he hasn’t been able to truly showcase his talent due to injuries – until Thursday night, that is.
The 20-year-old was the star of the show as Spurs got the better of AZ Alkmaar in their Europa League last-16 second leg.
Ange Postecoglou explained why he was so pleased with Odobert’s efforts, and also shared what Spurs fans can expect from him in future.
Ange Postecoglou says Wilson Odobert’s AZ heroics were ‘just the starting point’
Postecoglou told reporters he was “super pleased” with Odobert because of how “silently” hard he has been working at the club.
The Tottenham boss spoke of the traits which made Odobert such an exciting player, and also stressed he’s only just getting started.
“Super pleased for him because he’s worked awfully hard,” Postecoglou began in conversation with football.london.
“I’d be surprised if I have to explain why I selected him, if you didn’t see that today… I was excited when we signed him.
“He’s one of these players who has the ability to take players on, find space, great technician and super pleased for him to get his goals. He’s worked hard silently and to get back in the team.
“Obviously he came to a new club, a big club and big move for him and it didn’t work out for him through no fault of his own, through the injury.
“And it’s been frustrating for me not to be able to showcase him and know how much he can develop and that’s just the starting point for him.
“He’s still working his way to full fitness. When you look at the likes of him and Lucas and Archie and two or three others we’ve got, there’s some enormously exciting talent there.”
Maddison described Odobert as “absolutely fantastic” and said he’d give him a big pat on the back.
Lucas Bergvall also shone alongside Odobert, with Spurs fans singing the young Swede’s praises.
How Wilson Odobert fared for Tottenham against AZ
Odobert opened the scoring in the 26th minute as he emphatically fired home after the ball was cut back to him by Dominic Solanke.
The Frenchman then played a part in the build-up to James Maddison’s 48th-minute effort which put the Lilywhites 2-0 up on the night.
| Wilson Odobert stats v AZ | |
| Minutes played | 78′ |
| Goals | 2 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.03 |
| Shots on target | 2 |
| Shots off target | 1 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 4 (3) |
| Touches | 50 |
| Accurate passes | 26/31 (84%) |
| Crosses (acc.) | 2 (1) |
| Ground duels (won) | 8 (5) |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Total tackles | 2 |
And though Odobert suffered some misfortune when he knocked the ball into Peer Koopmeiners’ path for AZ’s goal, he struck again to put Spurs through.
In the 74th minute, Odobert tapped in from another Solanke assist to put Tottenham 3-2 up in the tie, and Spurs held on for victory.
Tottenham’s reward is a Europa League quarter-final tie with Eintracht Frankfurt.
