Joe Cole hails Tottenham youngster after impressive Europa League display as Chelsea icon explains why the 17-year-old ‘star’ will have Son Heung-min looking over his shoulder

Joe Cole was full of praise for a Tottenham youngster after he excelled against Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

The 17-year-old gave a very good account of himself on his first senior start as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners.

Cole believes that the prospect’s progress could cause problems for Son Heung-min.

Tottenham captain Son missed the Europa League clash because of injury.  

Ange Postecoglou’s side return to Premier League action on Sunday when they face Brighton away and Cole believes that the youngster has played himself into contention. 

Postecoglou gave Mikey Moore a chance to shine against Ferencvaros and the winger certainly took his opportunity.

Cole believes that Moore offers something different to Son and hailed the prospect as a ‘star’.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Cole said of Moore: ‘He’s different to Son. He’s certainly staked a claim. 

‘He’s one where Ange Postecoglou will have looked at in pre-season but every time he plays he picks another box and another box. I think he’s a star and certainly in the frame for the weekend.’

Moore has now made six senior appearances for Tottenham and looks set to add to that tally in the near future.

The England youth international became the youngest player to represent Tottenham in the Premier League when he featured as a substitute against Manchester City in May. 

Moore revealed that he only found out that he was starting less than two hours before kick off. 

He told TNT Sports: ‘I only knew about 4 o’clock today, so it came quickly, but I was ready to take it.

‘It’s what you work for. There’s a bit of nerves coming into it but once you get on the pitch you’re alright. 

‘It’s a big step but it’s one that I’m really ready to take. All the boys have helped me, so it’s been perfect really so far.’

‘He’s giving me little tips all the time really. Putting me in the team, you get the trust straightaway. I’m thankful to him for starting me and putting his trust in me. He’s helping me all the time and so are all the coaching staff.  

Tottenham defender Ben Davies admitted he was unsurprised by the impact that Moore made given that he frequently impresses in training.

Davies said: ‘This is nothing new to us, we see it every day in training. Mikey works so hard every day to get these opportunities so when they come we had no doubts he’d be ready and I thought he was very good tonight.’

Ange Postecoglou also praised Moore, with the Tottenham boss describing his display as ‘outstanding’.

Postecogolu said: “I thought he was outstanding. It’s brilliant for a 17-year-old to play 90 plus minutes in a European away tie. 

‘He just handled it superbly, I kind of knew he would and I think it’ll help his growth as a footballer once you et through a sort of experience like that. I think he’ll grow and evolve and I didn’t feel like I needed to take him off. He still looked strong at the end and was still contributing.” 

Pape Matar Sarr gave Tottenham the lead in the 23rd minute, with Brennan Johnson adding another goal late on. Ferencvaros got a goal back in the closing stages through Barnabas Varga.