'He's doing more harm than good' - De Zerbi pushing Williams-Barnett towards Tottenham exit

Roberto De Zerbi's unstable Tottenham Hotspur environment is delaying Luca Williams-Barnett's breakthrough.

That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 18-year-old's situation is reportedly attracting interest from across Europe, with the Lilywhites having opened contract talks in an attempt to ward off any suitors.

Williams-Barnett is very highly rated at Tottenham and in England, having scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in just 19 games for the youth sides last season.

The forward impressed in pre-season, too, but has been forced to wait for his opportunity under De Zerbi, making only an appearance off the bench against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.

Frustration over De Zerbi's neglect of the teenager has grown amid Tottenham's poor start to the season, with his situation now becoming a concern.

Lucas Williams-Barnett will 'go out on loan'

It is easy to understand Williams-Barnett's frustration. His struggle for opportunities comes when Tottenham are yet to win a Premier League game this season.

Yet, Arsenal, who won the league last season, seem willing to utilise 16-year-old Max Dowman at will, and the same can be said of young players at Manchester City and Liverpool.

"He's a player very similar to Mikey Moore, a bit younger. I can see him going out on loan somewhere," King told Football Insider.

"He took him to Australia along with Moore, and now Moore's in Germany. I don't know, I know it helps them grow up and all that. But for me, it just delays when they're actually going to be used as a regular first-team player.

"I don't think he'll go anywhere. If he's going to go anywhere, he'll be on loan. "

Asked about De Zerbi's selections, King added: "I think the way he's trying to build Tottenham is placing a lot of pressure on young players coming into a side which is not functioning. Probably doing more harm than good."

Roberto De Zerbi comments raise questions

In pre-season, De Zerbi was keen to give Williams-Barnett an opportunity - and he liked what he saw.

"He is a precious diamond," the Italian said after the teenager's 44-minute cameo off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC.

"We have to work on him in the final third and he must work hard on his physicality. I've worked with a lot of young players in my time and he's a potentially special player."

It remains to be seen whether those comments will be backed up with first-team minutes in the coming weeks.