James Wilson could hold key to Premier League survival, Roberto De Zerbi must trust Tottenham gem
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Credit: Imago / @Spurs_Academy via X James Wilson could hold key to Premier League survival, Roberto De Zerbi must trust Tottenham gem Wed 15 April 2026 8:30, UK James Wilson could be Tottenham Hotspur‘s final hope of Premier League survival as Roberto De Zerbi faces an impossible task.Thanks to West Ham’s win over Wolves, Spurs find themselves two points adrift of safety with six games remaining, with upcoming matches against Brighton, Wolves and Aston Villa.De Zerbi, who has only been in charge for one game since replacing Igor Tudor, will have to produce miracles to keep this team in England’s top tier, but a key game against Leeds United also remains.Fears of relegation from the Premier League continue to grow in North London, and understandably so, and it remains to be seen who is going to pull a rabbit out of a hat and who is capable of doing so.Credit: ImagoJames Wilson could be an unsung hero for TottenhamThe Lilywhites signed Wilson on loan from Hearts until the end of the season, but supporters have seen very little of him after being thrown into the academy levels at Hotspur Way. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES It is safe to say that the 19-year-old has made quite an impact in such little time, though, netting four goals in seven games for the Under-21s, including two in his last two games.Although De Zerbi has Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani to choose from, none of them has made the expected impact this season, with all three appearing too scared to really push.James Wilson’s stats [FotMob]Vs WolvesVs West HamMinutes played9067Goals11Shot accuracy100% (1/1)100% (2/2)Touches3221Touches in opposition box73Ground duels won29% (2/7)50% (1/2)Fouls committed50Wilson, on the other hand, continues to show a fearlessness in the academy, never pulling out of a challenge, whether he wins it or not, and proves to be rather accurate in front of goal.Which other youngsters should be trusted at senior level?Junai Byfield, Callum Olusesi and Rio Kyerematen should all be names well-known by the Spurs faithful, and ones that they should see far more often in the remaining games of the season.Cristian Romero is expected to leave Tottenham, and the club captain is now reportedly sidelined until the end of the 2025-26 campaign after being injured in the defeat to Sunderland.Byfield is one player who should definitely be given a chance in the backline, and with minutes against Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Man City this season, nerves shouldn’t be a problem.But scoring goals has been a concern this season, which is why Wilson should be considered for a first-team debut by De Zerbi, and even triggering the permanent clause in his current deal ahead of the summer.
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