The transfer window shakes things up for youngsters in the Premier League

Some youth players are given their chance in the FA Cup, others are sent on loan and the unlucky ones are shown the door

By Gavin Willacy for Playing in the Shadows

The new year brings new starts for reserve-team players. Having not played during the first-team’s manic festive period, many of them are soon on the move. Too old for the youth team, unable to break into the first-team and having played enough games or the Under-23s in empty grounds on Monday afternoons, they know it is time for pastures new. Young pros go on loan for first-team experience, while older players either sign a deal with another club or a mutual consent form as they are released.

Last January, Spurs sent Under-23 players on loan to Burnley, Portsmouth, Exeter, Ipswich, Northampton, Southend and Stevenage. Bereft of his best or oldest players, the club’s Under-23s coach Wayne Burnett started again, giving the most promising scholars the chance to step up. The same pattern is repeated throughout Premier League 2, the Professional Development League and Central League.

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