Tottenham Hotspur to replace Federico Fazio and other outgoing players with exciting academy graduates

Tottenham Hotspur let Federico Fazio leave the club in January as a demonstration of the faith they have in their academy graduates making the step up into the first team.

Fazio was brought to the club by Mauricio Pochettino upon his arrival at the club in the summer of 2014, but his role at White Hart Lane was a peripheral one during the 2015-16 season, making just one appearance in the Capital One Cup. He returned to Sevilla on loan during the winter transfer window.

Tottenham are fighting on three fronts, with their Europa League knockout campaign beginning this week against Fiorentina ahead of an FA Cup fifth-round clash against Crystal Palace on 21 February. The club also find themselves firmly in the mix for the Premier League title, sat just two points off leaders Leicester City.

Despite their frantic match schedule, Spurs felt comfortable in allowing squad player Fazio to rejoin Sevilla, confident their options emerging from the academy can take his place.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy clarified the decision in a meeting with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust. The minutes from the meeting noted: "DL [Daniel Levy] referenced that the Fazio loan deal had been possible because MP [Mauricio Pochettino], J McD [head of academy John McDermott] and PM [head of recruitment Paul Mitchell] are confident in the abilities of a younger player to step up to the first-team if required."

One youngster likely to benefit from that decision is 18-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Southend-born United States Under-23 international was added to Tottenham's Europa League squad list ahead of the knockout phase of the competition.

Tottenham's failure to sign another striker was another issue addressed by Levy. The North Londoners were closely linked with West Brom's Saido Berahino after seeing a number of bids rejected during the summer window, while a proposed move for Fulham youngster Moussa Dembele fell through in the closing days of the window.

Minutes from the meeting between Levy and the Supporters Trust noted: "DL also explained that transfer funds would be available should MP identify a player he felt could improve our squad. Funds had been available in January. MP was not a manager who believed that by simply spending, the squad would be improved. The decision to not sign a striker was MP's, and although he would have perhaps liked a young striker, he will only sign a player of the quality that can make a difference."