Wednesday 17 June 2015 09:57, UK
Alex Pritchard starred for Brentford and is in England’s squad for the European Under-21 Championship this summer. But will he get his chance at Tottenham? Adam Bate assesses the evidence and talks to Peter Taylor, the man who coached Pritchard at the Under-20 World Cup, to find out more…
Alex Pritchard doesn’t have to look too far across the dining table at the England team hotel in Olomouc to find inspiration. Fellow Essex boy and Tottenham academy graduate Harry Kane was born just a couple of months after Pritchard and is now the golden boy of English football. The Tottenham first-team must feel tantalisingly close.
Kane’s spectacular success offers hope for many young players but it’s perhaps Ryan Mason, now a senior England international himself, who provides the more pertinent example of the possibilities within Pritchard’s grasp. The two men spent part of the 2013/14 season on loan together at Swindon and given that Mason is two years older than Pritchard, time is still on his side if he is to take a similar journey.
That’s especially true given that, by his own admission, Pritchard is a “late developer”. Standing at a little over 5’7” tall, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is still filling out his frame, but that didn’t prevent him making an impact amid the notorious thud and blunder of Championship life. Asked to prove himself in the senior game, Pritchard went and did just that.
Brentford’s first season in the second tier following their promotion from League One took them all the way to the play-offs and Pritchard was a key figure. He ranked among the top 25 players in the Championship for both goals (12) and assists (seven), one of only nine players who could claim that and the other eight are all older than the Tottenham man.
Pritchard also created 97 chances from short passes – an indication of the sort of style of play that can translate easily to the Premier League – more than anyone in the top two divisions of the English game. His performances earned him various player of the year awards for the Bees as well as a spot in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
It represents a remarkable accomplishment for the youngster, not least because he was targeted by opponents from early in the season. “I'm now being doubled-up against in matches,” he told the Spurs website in November. “But I know it's all about being clever in those situations. You have to find space with movement to try and free yourself up and get onto the ball.”
I'm now being doubled-up against in matches. But I know it's all about being clever in those situations. You have to find space with movement to try and free yourself up and get onto the ball.
Described by former Brentford boss Mark Warburton as “good tactically and technically”, it’s clear that much was learned from his first season at Championship level and Pritchard is naturally hopeful that it proves to be just the start. “I think the defensive side of my game has matured here and hopefully I can kick on next season and play in the Premier League,” he said last month.
The next step comes with England this summer and the chance to work with a strong group of players under pressure to perform. It shouldn’t faze Pritchard as he is used to the set-up and even has tournament experience having played at the U20 World Cup in 2013. He impressed in Turkey, turning one game after coming off the bench against Chile, and his then boss Peter Taylor remains an admirer.
“Thankfully for him, size won’t matter. He’s that good,” Taylor told Sky Sports. “He’s not afraid to take the ball in tight areas and he’s not afraid of a tackle. I’ve been doing some scouting this season and watching him play so I’ve seen quite a lot of him. He’s a very intelligent footballer, honestly. He a terrific player with a terrific touch and a footballing brain. He will make goals.”
He’s not afraid to take the ball in tight areas and he’s not afraid of a tackle. He’s a very intelligent footballer, honestly. He a terrific player with a terrific touch and a footballing brain. He will make goals.
That Pritchard has talent is not in doubt but the margins are tight at the level to which Tottenham aspire. There are reports that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has some reservations regarding Pritchard’s ability to play a pressing game and even Taylor is cautious. “Is he a top-four player? I’m not sure.” But it’s perhaps telling that the man who has worked with him most has no such doubts.
“I think Alex goes on to grace White Hart Lane,” said Warburton recently. “He’s got so much ability and he’s hungry for more. I think he’ll grace the international stage too. I’d love to see him do well for Gareth Southgate’s Under-21s this summer. I think he’ll play at the very highest level, I really do. He has that edge to his game. He just has so much ability and he’s a very bright, young British talent.”
Of course, there’s only one way to know for sure and it seems Pritchard might get that opportunity. “He is in our plans for next season,” said Pochettino. “He starts pre-season when he gets back from the Euros and we are looking forward to having him back.” As the player himself puts it: “Hopefully I’ll get the chance to show what I can do.” A chance might be all that Alex Pritchard needs.
