Turns out that playing UEFA Europa Conference League football next season won't be so bad for Spurs after all.
Tottenham Hotspur finished seventh in the Premier League, which granted them a spot into the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Perhaps is not what the fans and players wanted, but realistically it will be a great opportunity to keep developing academy players in the first team.
Spurs will also be, without a doubt, the favorites to win the title.
Games against weak opponents in the early stages of the competition will be the perfect opportunity for young players to showcase their talents.
AS Roma, Stade Rennes, Union Berlin and Pacos De Ferreira are the four teams that will start in the final qualifying round, alongside Tottenham, in the European competition.
Since Villarreal won the Europa League, they will play in the Champions League and La Liga Santander will have no representative in the Conference League.
Opportunity
This past season in the UEFA Europa League, Jose Mourinho gave multiple first team debut opportunities to academy players such as Jack Clarke, Harvey White, Alfie Whiteman, Dane Scarlett, Niles John and Marcel Lavinier.
“I’m feeling good and I’m ready for my next challenges next season,” Scarlett said. “Pre-season is an important time so I’ll stay focused, try to do the right things and look forward to trying to achieve more.”
The 17 year-old, who also made his Premier League debut against West Brom in February, recorded 25 goals in just 24 games in three different youth competitions last season.
It will be interesting to see on whether Scarlett and others get first team minutes next season or if Spurs send them on loan to gain full pro experience.
Development
The development will continue not only with academy players but also with young first team members, as Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon will try to continue earning their Premier League appearances next season.
Both Tanganga and Rodon combined for only 32 appearances last season across all competitions.
These opportunities will also allow key first team players such as Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Pierre-Emile Hojberg to fully-rest ahead of the Premier League fixtures.