Steven Gerrard has compared Tottenham youngster Luca Williams-Barnett to Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha after being impressed by the teenager’s cameo in Spurs’ 2-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace.
Williams-Barnett was introduced at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with around 10 minutes remaining, but his confidence and willingness to run at defenders immediately caught the former England captain’s attention.
Speaking on The Overlap, Gerrard said he had heard Williams-Barnett’s name mentioned through the England youth set-up before watching his brief appearance against Palace.
“I loved one moment from the game. Williams-Barnett, a name I’ve heard mentioned to me through the England ranks a few times,” Gerrard said.
“But he came on for a little cameo, and if I’m a Tottenham fan, I’m going away buzzing with the result, and Spurs are obviously in this new place, but this young kid is going to be a player.
“I’ve seen enough in the 10-minute cameo. He came on around the 80th minute; he went on this little jinky run down the left and put a ball across like Declan Rice.
“I just thought, ‘They’ve got their own little Rio Ngumoha’. So look out for this boy, I really like him.”
Luca Williams-Barnett attracting attention
The attacking midfielder has established himself as one of Tottenham’s leading academy prospects. He signed his first professional contract with the club after turning 17 and has continued to draw attention with his performances at youth level.
Williams-Barnett scored five times in one UEFA Youth League match last season, one of the standout achievements in his rapid development in north London.
His progress has also reportedly been monitored by Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United, with the clubs understood to be tracking the versatile attacking player.
His close control, technical ability and confidence in one-on-one situations have now earned him opportunities in Tottenham’s first team under Roberto De Zerbi.
With rival clubs watching his development, reports suggest Tottenham are working to secure a new long-term agreement with the 18-year-old.
