The name of Malachi Hardy has become a familiar sight on Tottenham’s teamsheet during a time of emergency in central defence.
Still only 16 and born a fortnight after the last time Spurs won a major trophy, he has found his progress accelerated by injuries to Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies.
He has been on the bench to savour the hostility of Ibrox in the Europa League against Rangers, the thrilling win in a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, the incredible 4-0 victory at Manchester City and in the north London derby defeat at Arsenal.