Tottenham: 5 Future Stars in Spurs' Youth Ranks

The youth and reserve teams of a domestic-league football program. Is there anything that could be more exciting in world football?

(Well, except for last month's race for the Premier League title between both Manchester clubs, this summer's Euro 2012 finals and the best side the United States national team has fielded taking its first steps towards the 2014 World Cup.)

In all seriousness, the best clubs in the world have had some absolutely stellar players come through the youth and reserve teams to star for the senior squad and even go on to international greatness.

Tottenham Hotspur is no exception.

Notable players that have come through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy include Ledley King, Glenn Hoddle, Peter Crouch, Stephen Carr, Nick Barmby, Ian Walker and Sol Campbell.

Spurs are close to signing Ajax's star defender Jan Vertonghen, but some players (including Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, according to the Telegraph and Daily Mail respectively) are interesting other clubs. It's a summer of transition at White Hart Lane and what better time to check in and see what kind of talent lies below the senior team.

With that said, I give you the best and brightest of Tottenham's youth and reserve ranks.

Jonathan Miles (Goalkeeper)

Miles is in his third year between the posts for Tottenham's Youth Academy.

After limited opportunities as a first-year, Miles stepped up and made 11 appearances as a second-year, sharing goalkeeping duties with Jordan Archer, who spent last season on loan at Blue Square Bet North side Bishop's Stortford.

This year, he was the primary starter, collecting three clean sheets against the youth teams of Charlton Athletic, MK Dons and Cardiff City.

Cameron Lancaster (Striker)

Lancaster joined Tottenham's Youth Academy in 2009, but quickly found his way onto the reserve team. 

A number of impressive performances earned him his first loan move into the Football League with Dagenham & Redbridge in March of 2011. He also got onto the pitch in a Premier League match in January of 2012 against Wigan Athletic.

Lancaster is only 19, but with a handful of league appearances under his belt and several seasons with professional clubs, Spurs might give him more chances in the future.

Paul McBride (Left Wing)

He was hit by injuries early in the season, but made 11 appearances since New Years and scored three goals in the process.

McBride is working his way through the Republic of Ireland's youth system and could be a real asset along the left sideline in the coming years if Tottenham's midfield gets depleted.

Jack Bartham (Right-Back)

Gained legitimate football experience outside the youth and reserve teams when manager Harry Redknapp called him up for Spurs' Europa League group opener against Greek side PAOK.

Bartham is a quick right-back who has impressed youth manager Alex Inglethorpe with his play on the U-18 squad, so much so that he earned playing time during the FA Youth Cup.

William Ekong (Center-Back)

A tall, powerful right-sided centre-back who has the most experience of any player on the youth and reserve teams. He's not even 18 yet and he's been featured for the youth teams from SV Overbos in the Netherlands, Bishop’s Stortford and Fulham.

With Tottenham's deficiency at center-back, Ekong could start to earn more and more playing time in the next two seasons.