Tottenham Hotspur released the squad list for the pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Korea.
Spurs head to Asia to take on Arsenal in the first north London derby to be played outside the United Kingdom at Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday (July 31 at 12: 30pm UK time).
Tottenham then face Newcastle United at Seoul’s World Cup Stadium next Sunday (August 3, noon in the UK).
However, there were notable absences on the list, with youngster Mikey Moore not on the flight to Asia.
Spurs revealed Moore, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett won’t travel to explore potential opportunities for loan moves.
After getting a taste of first-team action under Ange Postecoglou, who said he has ‘got something special’, Moore wants to play regular football next season.
Unfortunately, he might struggle to get that at Tottenham.
Spurs have Mathys Tel, Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, and Dejan Kulusevski fighting for starting berths, making it hard for Moore to break in.
Per Football London, Moore’s camp pushed for a loan move for the youngster during contract talks with Spurs, and manager Thomas Frank will decide what happens next with him.
Several clubs in England and abroad are keen on taking the England Under-19 international on loan for the season ahead, but it remains unclear where he will end up.
A move to the Bundesliga or Eredivisie would be the wise play for Tottenham regarding Moore (View).
These leagues are less physically demanding than the Championship, offering a smoother runway for a young, technically gifted forward to find his feet.
Moore’s sharp first touch, pace and flair are more likely to shine in positional play and tactical systems over brute strength.
Clubs in Germany and the Netherlands also tend to prioritise youth development and aren’t afraid to hand teenagers meaningful minutes.
If Spurs are serious about his long-term future, easing him into senior football in an environment that encourages technical growth is the logical step.