Brentford boss Thomas Frank has commended Tottenham's teenage fullback Souza for his resilient Premier League debut during Spurs' 2-0 loss to Manchester United, despite challenging circumstances.
The 19-year-old Brazilian was unexpectedly called into action at Old Trafford when starter Destiny Udogie suffered a hamstring injury early in the second half. Though thrown into a difficult situation with Spurs already trailing, the £13m January signing from Santos displayed promising attacking intent and recovery pace during his 35-minute cameo.
"I liked what I saw from him when he came on - nice and positive," Frank stated. "Coming from Brazil at 19 years old to Tottenham, making his debut at such an iconic stadium is a massive achievement."
With Udogie expected to miss 4-5 weeks, Souza could make his first Premier League start when Tottenham host Newcastle on Tuesday. However, Frank cautioned that the young defender still needs time to fully adapt to English football, having lost all his defensive duels during the United match.
While Djed Spence's return from injury might see Souza initially deployed as a substitute, Spurs' ongoing defensive crisis could fast-track the teenager's development. The left-back only made his professional debut for Santos in January 2023 before securing his move to North London.
Frank concluded: "I hope him and his family are proud of this milestone. There's certainly more to come from him as he gains experience."
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