Tottenham Hotspur could hand Luca Williams-Barnett a major opportunity on Wednesday as Roberto De Zerbi prepares to rotate his squad.Tottenham Hotspur have spent a club record £322m on multiple high-profile additions this summer, with more business potentially still to come as the club look to deliver on their promise of backing Roberto De Zerbi.That level of spending has reportedly raised concerns within the academy, with players, parents and coaches questioning the pathway into the first team after several promising youngsters were also allowed to leave permanently.De Zerbi, however, has made it clear that age will not determine his decisions, with the Italian instead judging players on their ability, attitude and readiness to contribute.The Tottenham boss has a strong record of developing young players and has also given several academy prospects opportunities throughout Spurs’ pre-season, where one youngster arguably stood above the rest.Credit: adlinc_photography / InstagramLuca Williams-Barnett could be handed first Tottenham chance vs Charlton17-year-old Tottenham academy player Luca Williams-Barnett enjoyed an excellent summer with the first team, even getting on the scoresheet during the second friendly against Hoffenheim.The teenager played the 11th most minutes of any Spurs player across their seven friendlies and regularly caught the eye with his creativity and confidence on the ball.There were hopes that Williams-Barnett might be handed a few minutes in Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Brentford, although he remained an unused substitute as Spurs suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat.The youngster could now get his first senior Tottenham start on Wednesday, when De Zerbi’s side face Championship outfit Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Carabao Cup.That is because Williams-Barnett has been left out of the Under-21 squad for their Premier League 2 meeting with Newcastle United, suggesting the youngster has been saved for first-team involvement instead.Here's how our U21s line up tonight to face Newcastle United in their #PL2 opener (7pm BST) 👊Watch live on SPURSPLAY! 📺— Tottenham Hotspur Academy (@Spurs_Academy) August 24, 2026Roberto De Zerbi has big plans for Luca Williams-BarnettAfter Williams-Barnett impressed during Tottenham’s pre season tour of Australia, De Zerbi was asked what he had made of the teenager.The Italian responded: “We have to manage him like a precious diamond. We have to help him to improve in the last decision. “Physically, work harder to become stronger because this time of football, he needs to be strong, and to give him space when there is the right moment.“I usually give time to all the young players I work with in my career, and he is a potential special player.”READ MORE: Cody Gakpo to Tottenham updates from Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein – ‘Next few days’The post Tottenham drop big hint on Luca Williams-Barnett involvement vs Charlton appeared first on Spurs Web.