In Focus: The Tottenham prospects bidding to break through under Conte

Academy graduate Harry Kane will spearhead Tottenham's assault on the title this season — but the club's next generation of stars can also play their part.

A number of top talents have emerged from Hotspur Way with their sights set on breaking into Antonio Conte's first team.

As Spurs prepare for the upcoming Premier League campaign, we take a look at five hot prospects who could make their mark in 2022-23.

Dane Scarlett

It is easy to forget that Dane Scarlett is just 18 years old as he has already been around the Tottenham first team for almost two years.

The striker performed well in his seven appearances in all competitions last season with Conte full of praise for his No44.

Speaking in February, he said: "Dane's working really hard and he is a really good prospect from the academy. He is for sure at this moment the best prospect from the academy.

"Dane has to continue to work very hard, we are trying to find the best solution in training because he has a long history with injuries, he has great potential."

Scarlett was recently handed a contract extension until 2026, demonstrating Spurs' belief in the Hillingdon native.

Troy Parrott

There is plenty of excitement about Troy Parrott after he enjoyed an impressive loan spell with MK Dons last season.

The 20-year-old operated as a No10 for the League One side in 2021-22, helping them reach the play-offs with eight goals and seven assists in 41 matches.

However, Spurs are believed to view Parrott as a potential No9 in the mould of Kane — and the 6ft 1in forward demonstrated that he has the physical prowess to excel in that role last term.

With 15 caps and four goals for the Republic of Ireland under his belt — as well as four Tottenham appearances — everything is moving in the right direction for the Dublin native.

He will be hoping to stake a claim for more first-team minutes when Conte’s men head to South Korea, Scotland and Israel over the coming weeks.

Alfie Devine

Alfie Devine has set tongues wagging since arriving from Wigan in 2020 — and Spurs have big plans for their young prodigy.

The midfielder made his senior debut against Marine in the FA Cup in January 2021, becoming the club's youngest ever player aged just 16.

Devine, now 17, also marked that appearance with a goal as Jose Mourinho tipped the England Under-19s international for a big future after the match.

He said: "[Devine is] coming to us sometimes to train, so a nice process for him. Also some experience in the youth teams and in the national team, so step by step he's going.

"He's a kid that basically is a midfield player but with an instinct to appear in finishing zones and to score goals. We like him and of course for him today is a special day."

Tottenham's No45 seemingly has the world at his feet — it is now down to him to showcase his talents in pre-season.

Maksim Paskotsi

It is not too often that a footballer has more international caps than senior club appearances — but that is exactly the situation Maksim Paskotsi finds himself in.

The 19-year-old centre-back has played 16 times for Estonia despite not featuring in a single league fixture for Tottenham or former club FC Flora’s first team.

And he has already secured international silverware after putting in a series of impressive performances during the Blueshirts’ triumphant 2020 Baltic Cup campaign.

Paskotsi made his Spurs debut against Pacos de Ferreira in last season’s Europa Conference League in what could be the first of many outings for the rapidly progressing young defender.

Jamie Donley

The youngest player on this list, Jamie Donley has turned heads with his prolific goalscoring at youth level.

The striker, 17, struck five times for Spurs' U-18s while he was still a schoolboy before continuing in a similar vein last season.

His next step on the ladder will be to take the mantle as first-choice No9 in the U-23s.

Donley is on an upward trajectory in North London and will ultimately hope to emulate first-team talisman Kane at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.