Some Tottenham fans are convinced they have another Gareth Bale on their hands after Mikey Moore’s phenomenal performance in the Europa League. The 17-year-old was handed his first start at home by Ange Postecoglou, who admitted after the match that it is hard to ‘keep a lid’ on the hype surrounding the teenager.
Moore was particularly outstanding in the second half after switching to the left flank in the clash against AZ Alkmaar, that was eventually settled by Richarlison’s 53rd-minute penalty. His most eye-catching contribution came just a minute after the interval when he beat four opposition players on the touchline and produced a superb pass with the outside of his foot for Brennan Johnson.
The display has sent some Spurs fans into hysterics on social media, with some even claiming that the youngsters could be their next Bale. ‘Got a 17 yrs old Gareth Bale vibes,’ one Tottenham fan wrote on X. Another said: ‘Mikey Moore is unreal.’
‘That would have been the most incredible assist! Awesome.’ Said a third, while another commenter wrote: ‘Plays direct and without fear, needs to be used much, much more.Moore has been used sparingly by Postecoglou this season, understandable given he only turned 17 in August. But the Tottenham manager admitted that the hype around him will now be difficult to quell.And he even added to it himself by comparing the youngster to former Barcelona superstar Neymar.
‘From minute 45 to 65, I thought we had Neymar on the left wing.’ The Australian said post-match. ‘It’s pretty hard for me to keep a lid on it now, ain’t it? He was exciting. You cannot deny it. There is no point denying it.
‘I love the way Mikey is taking it all in his stride, he works hard every day. He wants to develop, he understands that this is a journey.
‘It’s very easy for a young guy like him, who has just turned 17, to feel like he has somehow made it, but you ever get that sense. It’s exciting, it is. You have got such a young player, who wants that responsibility to make an impact, rather than just sometimes with young players they are a bit worried about making mistakes. He is developing well.