Declan Rice sends classy compliment to three Tottenham players

Tottenham Hotspur may have endured a frustrating derby day defeat against Arsenal, but Declan Rice has singled out three young players from Ange Postecoglou’s squad whose performances have caught his eye.

Spurs struggles highlighted in the North London derby

Following Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Arsenal, manager Ange Postecoglou did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s passive approach and inability to seize the initiative during key moments of the game.

After the match, the Australian manager reflected on the defeat with brutal honesty. In his post-match comments, he admitted there were “no positives” to take from the game, even though two of his youngest players, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, displayed a level of maturity and composure that belied their years.

Postecoglou said: “I know we are going through a tough trot and are asking big jobs, but I hope they are hurting – the 18-year-olds – as much as anybody else in terms of us not being able to deliver on a big night.”

Declan Rice praises Tottenham’s young stars

Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who has quickly become one of the leaders in Mikel Arteta’s squad, offered an unexpected perspective on some of Tottenham’s younger players.

Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, Rice took a moment after Arsenal’s victory to highlight the potential he sees in three emerging Spurs talents.

Rice told TNT Sports: “Do you know what as well? I’m going to mention them because they’re Spurs players, but Archie Gray and Bergvall, they’re both 18 as well and are playing week in, week out; Mikey Moore.

“There are guys in the Premier League now who are playing and are younger and younger and younger, and they’ve got no fear! It’s so good to see.”

What Tottenham’s youngsters could mean for the future

While Ange Postecoglou refrained from publicly praising his young stars after the derby, he has been consistent in emphasising the long-term benefits of exposing them to high-pressure situations.

During a recent press conference, he elaborated on his philosophy regarding youth development, saying: “You do not want to by design, but it will bear fruit for us for sure.”

There is no doubt that Postecoglou is happy with the way some of his players are developing.

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