Why Tottenham should sign Kyle Joseph with an eye on the future
According to The Sun, Tottenham are set to go back in the market for highly-rated Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph after failing with a bid to land the teenager in the summer.
Spurs tabled a £150,000 offer for the Scotland U-21 starlet in the last window while Premier League rivals Sheffield United were also in the race to sign him. However, Joseph turned down approaches from the top-flight and stayed put at the DW Stadium with the hope of making a first-team breakthrough.
The 19-year-old’s decision has paid off handsomely. The Latics’ relegation from the Championship at the end of last season has opened the door for Joseph to enjoy regular game time this term. The Scottish starlet has grabbed his opportunities with both hands so far, scoring 4 times in 11 appearances in EFL League One.
A youth exponent of Wigan, Joseph signed his first professional contract with the Latics in February 2019. He made his first-team debut as a substitute against Northampton Town in October 2020 and stole the limelight in December, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Joseph followed it up with a stunning hat-trick on December 29 as Wigan beat Burton Albion 4-3.
Putting things into context, Kyle Joseph has already started to make significant strides in his development at Wigan Athletic after enjoying his senior breakthrough earlier this season. Tottenham should, therefore, snap him up with an eye on the future.
Despite their ongoing financial troubles, Wigan’s conveyor belt in the academy has continued to produce some of the most talented youngsters in the Football League. Joe Gelhardt joined Leeds United this past summer and has made a massive impact for the Whites’ U-23 side.
Tottenham themselves have reaped the benefits of raiding the Latics in recent windows. Alfie Devine moved to North London as a top young prospect and has already made the step up to Spurs’ U-23 side at the PL 2 level, despite being just 16. Kyle Joseph looks like an exciting young player in a similar mould.
Verdict
With Joseph’s contract at Wigan due to expire at the end of the season, Tottenham should definitely fancy their chances of nabbing the League One starlet on the cheap this winter. The 19-year-old is hardly the finished article just yet but has already started to deliver on his potential, showing glimpses of his quality in front of goal.
It would be naive to expect the teenager to stake a claim for a first-team role at Tottenham even if a January move to North London does materialise. Joseph’s development would be best served by playing regularly in the Football League. Having said that, Spurs should consider loaning him back to Wigan if they end up striking a deal for the Scottish starlet this month.
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That would get him ready for bigger challenges moving forward. The youngster still needs plenty of polishing to fulfil his promise and Tottenham should make sure that they have the right plan laid out for his development.
