J'Neil Bennett explained

J'Neil Bennett
Fullname:J'Neil Lloyd Bennett[1]
Birth Date:7 December 2001[2]
Birth Place:Camden, England
Height:1.78m
Position:Left winger
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:Queens Park Rangers
Youthyears2:2017–2021
Youthclubs2:Tottenham Hotspur
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:Tottenham Hotspur
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–2022
Clubs2:Crewe Alexandra (loan)
Caps2:9
Goals2:1
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Brentford
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2018–2019
Nationalteam1:England U18
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:18:06, 5 May 2024 (UTC)

J'Neil Lloyd Bennett (born 7 December 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left winger.

Bennett is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and began his professional career with the club. After gaining his first senior experience away on loan at Crewe Alexandra, he transferred to Brentford in 2022. Bennett was capped by England at U18 level.

Early life

Bennett was born in London and grew up in Camden.[3] He attended Haverstock School.

Club career

Tottenham Hotspur

A left winger, Bennett began his career in the Queens Park Rangers Academy and moved into the Tottenham Hotspur Academy in 2017. He progressed into the U18 team during the 2017–18 season and signed a scholarship deal at the end of the campaign.[4] Bennett had a breakout 2018–19 season, in which he made U17, U18, U19 and Development Squad appearances. His 2018 Euro Youth Cup performances for the U17 team saw him named as the Player of the Tournament and late in the season, he scored the first goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during a test event.

Bennett progressed into the Development Squad and signed his first professional contract on New Year's Eve 2019.[5] On 19 August 2021, he received his maiden call into a first team matchday squad and made his professional debut as a substitute for Ryan Sessegnon after 81 minutes of a 1–0 UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round first leg defeat to Paços de Ferreira.

Bennett joined League One club Crewe Alexandra on trial during the 2021–22 pre-season and he joined the club on a half-season loan on 31 August 2021.[6] On his second competitive appearance for the Railwaymen, Bennett's first-half cross forced an own goal and he later broke away to score his first professional goal in a 2–0 victory over Burton Albion.[7] In November 2021, an ankle ligament injury saw Bennett return to Tottenham Hotspur for treatment and rehabilitation and the loan expired before his return to fitness.[8] He made 11 appearances and scored one goal during his spell at Gresty Road. After returning to fitness, Bennett played the remainder of the 2021–22 season for the Tottenham Hotspur Development Squad and was released when his contract expired in June 2022.[9]

Brentford

Early in the 2022–23 season, Bennett joined the B team at Premier League club Brentford on a trial which was interrupted due to a back injury.[10] After returning to fitness, he signed a one-year contract, with the option of a further year, on 30 November 2022. Bennett was released at the end of the 2022–23 season, when the club neglected to take up the option on his contract.[11]

Free agent

Beginning in mid-November 2023,[12] Bennett engaged in training sessions with former club Crewe Alexandra.[13] He suffered an injury prior to Christmas 2023.[14]

International career

Bennett won five caps and scored one goal for England at U18 level during the 2018–19 season.

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tottenham Hotspur U232018–192020
2019–201010
Total3030
Tottenham Hotspur2021–22Premier League001010
Crewe Alexandra (loan)2021–22League One91100 010111
Career total9110001040151

Honours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . 5 May 2024 . www.premierleague.com . en.
  2. Web site: J'Neil Bennett . 4 November 2021 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises.
  3. Web site: J'Neil Bennett Player Profile . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220203063836/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/teams/under-23/players/j-neil-bennett/ . 3 February 2022 . 19 August 2021 . Tottenham Hotspur . en.
  4. Web site: Introducing our new Under-18s players . 30 November 2022 . Tottenham Hotspur . en.
  5. Web site: Gold . Alasdair . 6 January 2020 . New deal for Bennett and why Parrott, Skipp and Tanganga need minutes . 30 November 2022 . Football.London . en.
  6. News: 31 August 2021 . Crewe Sign J'Neil Bennett On Loan . 1 September 2021 . CreweAlex.net.
  7. News: 18 September 2021 . Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Burton Albion . 20 September 2021 . BBC Sport.
  8. Web site: Bennett Returns To Spurs For Treatment . 30 November 2022 . www.crewealex.net . en-gb.
  9. Web site: Player update . 30 November 2022 . Tottenham Hotspur . en.
  10. Web site: J'Neil Bennett joins Brentford B . 30 November 2022 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  11. Web site: Brentford B squad update . 1 June 2023 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  12. Web site: Bennett given chance to impress . 14 November 2023 . www.crewealex.net . en-gb.
  13. Web site: We won't rush J'Neil – Dicker . 2 December 2023 . www.crewealex.net . en-gb.
  14. Web site: Injury Update Williams, Tabiner, Leigh & Bennett . 18 January 2024 . www.crewealex.net . en-gb.
  15. Web site: Silverware for Under-17s in Germany . 30 November 2022 . Tottenham Hotspur . en.