Jermain Defoe talks up "unbelievable" Spurs player being eyed by Stoke City | OneFootball

Defoe believes that Potters-linked Tyrese Hall has the potential to go to the very top of the game

Former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker and current pundit Jermain Defoe has heaped praise on Spurs youngster Tyrese Hall in a recent interview with Sky Sports, amid recent rumours that Championship side Stoke City are considering a loan move for the 19-year-old this month.

Hall is a central midfielder by trade, and has also played in a deeper role in his time at Spurs since joining the North London club's academy from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Ex-professional Defoe featured for Spurs in two spells as a player from 2004 to 2008 and 2009 to 2014, and he returned to the North London club as an academy and under-18's coach in 2022, before leaving his role last summer.

The 42-year-old, therefore, is no stranger to Hall's talents, having coached him for two seasons at under-18 level in 2022/23 and 2023/24 prior to his step-up to the under-21's this season, and has tipped him for a bright future amid links with a loan move to the Potters in the coming weeks.

Jermain Defoe hails Tyrese Hall's talents after Stoke City links

A previous report from transfer journalist Darren Witcoop, via X, states that Hall is attracting loan interest and could leave Tottenham this month, while the Potters are claimed to have the 19-year-old on their radar ahead of a possible move soon.

The 19-year-old midfielder registered three assists in nine Premier League 2 appearances last season, as he helped Spurs' under-21 side win the league by four points, and he has improved even further this season to net three goals and lay on two assists in 11 Premier League 2 games so far.

Hall is yet to play senior football in his short career so far, but has impressed in Tottenham's youth ranks while stepping up to feature in Ange Postecoglou's first-team squad on one occasion last year, against Manchester City in May.

Spurs legend and former coach Defoe has sung the praises of the 19-year-old in a recent interview with Sky Sports, via X, and even compared him to two iconic ex-Premier League players, after he was asked to name some young players to watch out for in 2025.

He said: "The first one is a player that I coached at Tottenham for two years in the academy. I'd go as far as saying he's probably one of the best players at his age that I have seen in the country.

"I remember we played a game last year, I think it was against Chelsea, and his performance was unbelievable. It was a standout performance, probably his best of the season in a big game.

"I think we ended up winning 3-2 after being 2-0 down. It was a masterclass, and the player's name is Tyrese Hall.

"He's someone who I believe is a Premier League footballer. I know it's a big statement but when I first saw him I thought, 'you know what, I believe, god-willing, that he is someone that go on and play at the top, top level.'

"(He is) an unbelievable footballer, with so much potential. He reminds me a little bit, technically, and how he is so silky, again another big statement, of that Luka Modric sort of vibe and Joe Cole. A phenomenal talent."

Stoke need midfield additions ASAP after recent injury developments

Stoke are still yet to sign any players so far in the January window, after new manager Mark Robins was only officially appointed as their new boss on New Year's Day.

Potters boss Mark Robins has moved to recall both Lewis Baker and Nathan Lowe from their respective loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Walsall, but Stoke's January business is believed to be likely to take place closer to the deadline, due to their struggles regarding profit and sustainability (PSR) and financial fair play (FFP) rules.

The Potters have just two loan spaces left in their squad right now as it stands, per EFL rules, but do already have a working relationship with Spurs, with centre-back Ashley Phillips currently impressing on a season-long loan from the Lilywhites.

A potential move for Hall does seem likely, as a result, and Stoke's need for new midfielders this month has also been accelerated in recent weeks after both Sol Sidibe and Jordan Thompson were ruled out with long-term injuries.

As well as that pair, Robins is still unable to call on either Bosun Lawal or Ben Pearson at this moment in time, as they each near the end of their respectively lengthy injury lay-offs, so the likes of Baker, Wouter Burger and Tatsuki Seko are all having to start every game in the middle of the park right now.

With Defoe's comments in mind, Stoke may well ramp up their interest in Hall in the weeks to come, as a move for the 19-year-old does make sense on the face of things, and they could massively benefit if he is able to transfer his standout youth talents to men's football in the second-half of the Championship season.