Tottenham Hotspur teenage striker Souleymane Coulibaly wants to be given enough game time to show off his talent next season.

Spurs signed the player in the summer of 2011 after he was one of the standout players at the U17 World Cup – he scored an incredible nine goals in four games for the Ivory Coast.

The Lilywhites snapped him up with one eye firmly locked on the future – and he has been sent out on loan this season to gain some valuable first team experience.

Experience required

Coulibaly is currently playing his football in the second tier of Italian football for Grosseto. However he has only made four substitute appearances, and hasn’t managed to hit the back of the net.

The 18-year-old feels that his time away from White Hart Lane has been a positive experience for him, and he is looking forward to making a name for himself next year.

Sky Sports have reported Coulibaly saying: “Coming here has taught me a lot and hopefully the experience will serve me well in the future.

“I want to make my name at Spurs next season or in the future, but I have to bide my time because there are some top players in the Premier League in my position.”

Limited options

The striker faces competition for places from fellow African Emmanuel Adebayor, England international Jermain Defore and American international Clint Dempsey, who can play up-front.

However, a loss of form or injury to Andre Villas-Boas’ striking options could see the youngster thrown into the deep end sooner rather than later.