Mikey Moore has spoken about his decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur on a temporary basis this season, joining Bundesliga side Cologne in search of regular playing time.
The 19-year-old winger began the campaign as Spurs' preferred option on the right flank, delivering a standout display against Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he scored twice. He also started in the 3-0 loss at Brentford and featured in the 5-1 League Cup victory over Charlton, netting the opening goal in that tie. His knack for finding the net is something Tottenham could arguably use, given that Roberto De Zerbi's side have yet to score a Premier League goal so far this season.
Despite his early-season form, Moore found himself dropping down the pecking order at right wing in De Zerbi's 4-2-3-1 setup. The emergence of Mohammed Kudus, who has returned from a lengthy quad injury, along with the arrival of Savio following the Brentford defeat, squeezed Moore's opportunities. Dejan Kulusevski, another option capable of playing on the right, remains sidelined with a kneecap issue but is expected back at some point.
Faced with limited minutes, Moore opted for a loan move to Germany, where he has joined Rene Wagner's Cologne side. Speaking to the club's official website, the young forward explained his reasoning and reflected on his ties to Tottenham.
"Spurs are a huge part of my life," Moore said. "My goal is to play at the highest possible level. If I were to break into the first team at Spurs in the future, I'd certainly be very happy about that."
Moore revealed he had been eager to push through the move once it became a realistic option. "I was really happy when I got the green light for the loan. I was eager to get started right away," he added.
The teenager also detailed his early conversations with Wagner, who outlined a specific attacking role for him within the team. "Right from the first conversation, the manager had a clear idea of how and where I should play. I really liked the fact that he plans to use me in an attacking role and expects me to help the team by scoring goals," Moore said.
He went on to express his enthusiasm about the expectations placed on him at his new club. "I'm looking forward to joining a team where a lot is expected of me. I want to take on responsibility here," he said.
Since arriving in Germany, Moore has already featured for Cologne on multiple occasions. He made his debut as a half-time substitute during a 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart, before earning a start in a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen, where he operated as a No.10 just behind experienced striker Thijs Dallinga.
Moore and his new teammates will now turn their attention to a fixture against Hamburg before the international break brings a pause to domestic action. The winger will be hoping to build on his early involvement and continue justifying Wagner's decision to hand him an attacking role at the heart of Cologne's setup.
Whether the loan spell in the Bundesliga proves to be the springboard Moore needs to force his way back into Tottenham's plans remains to be seen, but for now, the youngster appears focused on gaining experience and contributing goals for his temporary side.
Based on reporting from standard-football.