OPINION
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has brought through several young players during his time at the club, with the Argentine earning a reputation for his willingness to give youth a chance.
At clubs like Manchester City, the opposite is happening, with Pep Guardiola’s huge spending meaning that the club’s academy stars are struggling to make any sort of impact in the first-team environment.
This is a sad state of affairs for those players considering that they have been developed in an academy that is considered to be one of the best in the world, and some are inevitably looking elsewhere for that chance.
One of those who may end up leaving the club soon is midfielder Brahim Diaz, whose contract runs out next summer.
The 19-year-old Spain youth international has made 12 first-team appearances for the club under Guardiola, but his chances this season look to be hugely limited.
And according to the latest report from journalist Jose Alvarez Haya, Diaz is still far from agreeing a new deal with the club and has begun to attract attention from some big clubs.
Brahim Diaz exceeded yesterday a new phase for winning the Golden Boy and he still didn't renew with Manchester City (and is not close right now). Since next January he could negotiate with other teams and BIG clubs just ask for his situation. More info coming in the next days…
— Jose Alvarez Haya (@10JoseAlvarez) September 5, 2018
Diaz is a wonderfully gifted young player who has the tools to go on and become a world-beater, but it is clear that the current environment he finds himself in is not ideal for his development.
One place that would help him reach his potential is playing under Pochettino at Spurs, and the Lilywhites must now enter the big-name race to sign Diaz next summer.
Pochettino is the key selling point here, with the Argentine’s work with players like Dele Alli and Harry Kane showing exactly where he can take young players with potential.
Tottenham must make contact with Diaz at the earliest possible moment and begin their work to convince the young Spaniard of the move, with the potential for him to become world-class under Pochettino.
Spurs have been crying out for a new attacking midfield talent to back up Christian Eriksen, and 5ft 7in Diaz [Transfermarkt] is the perfect candidate for that.
All signs point towards a fruitful union between Diaz and Spurs, and the club must now do all it can to make that a reality next summer.