Little more than a month on from a World Cup that reignited our generation's love of the England national team, the Premier League shifts back into focus and with it, so too does the interest in a host of young lions who are aiming to break the glass ceiling and make an impression on their fans, their clubs and – ultimately – the national team, too.

As a member of the starting XI for England's historic U20 World Cup win last year, Tottenham's Josh Onomah is one young baller who's on a mission to leave his mark on the upcoming Premier League campaign. Now 21-years-old and coming fresh off an impactful season on loan with Aston Villa, Onomah is back at Spurs and believes this is the time for him to really come of age at the club he's supported since he was a kid kicking ball on the streets of Enfield.

Nike clearly back Onomah's ambition. At the finals of the brand's "Phantom Clash" tournament – which saw 5-a-side teams from all over London fight for a year-long Nike deal – they invited Josh Onomah to take in the tournament, speak to the competitors and reflect on the importance of football to London's young communities.

We took some time out with Josh Onomah to hear about his story so far, his ambitions for Spurs and England and how he felt about AJ Tracey dropping a lyric about him on "False 9".

VERSUS: Taking about the Nike Phantom Clash that we’re here for tonight – how much does seeing a 5-a-side tournament in an estate like this take you back to your early days of kicking ball?

Josh Onomah: It brings back crazy memories and I remember growing up with my friends and playing anywhere we could find on the street – anywhere with a bit of grass or concrete became our pitch. It’s good to see the young people here today having fun with a ball at their feet and expressing themselves.

Why do you think tournaments like this are so important to communities in cities like London?

There’s a few negative things going on in London right now and stuff organised by Nike – or anyone else, for that matter – that gets the young kids off the street and playing football, enjoying each other’s company and all in good spirits, it’s a very positive thing.

"When I was younger, Ronaldinho was the main guy."

What are your earliest memories of football?

I remember my dad taking me to the park when I was four or five years-old and he’d take me through different drills, tell me to always express myself, and shortly afterwards I remember signing for my first team – a club in Enfield – and I was so happy. I was over the moon to play organised football for the first time.

Was being a creative player and enjoying having the ball at your feet an important part of who you were, even at a young age?

Definitely. When I was much younger, Ronaldinho was the main guy and he always used to express himself – he was a huge role model and I tried to model my game off him by having fun and being confident with a ball at your feet.

You’re a big part of the new generation of Young Lions who are coming through and finding success at so many different levels of the game. Why do you think we’ve seen the fortunes of the national game change so quickly?

I think it comes down to giving us players the freedom to be ourselves on the field. The managers – at every level of the set up – want us to play football and express ourselves, which plays to this generation’s strengths. We’ve won a lot of things from U16 level to U21 level, which is where I am now, so I definitely think having a country-wide style of play that favours skill and possession is working for us.

Did seeing the senior team perform as they did in Russia this summer serve as good motivation for you?

100%. I was rooting for them and I know a few of the lads from Tottenham – I thought it was coming home! – and it was unfortunate, but it definitely gave me great hunger to be a part of that in the future.

Now you were immortalised in AJ Tracey’s “False 9” last year. What was your reaction when you heard your name being dropped in a bar?

Yeah, man! I knew AJ Tracey a bit before because he’s a big Tottenham fan but I never expected him to start dropping my name in his lyrics (laughs). When he said that, I was shocked but he’s a good MC and I rate him for that!

The lyric referenced your “tek” – are you the type of guy to be pulling out rainbow flicks on the regular?

(Laughs) Well I do my best on FIFA but in training and matches I’ve got to be a bit more strict with it!

Aside from AJ Tracey, who else are you banging out on a matchday right now?

I rate Not3s right now – I love his flow and I rate what he’s saying, it’s very relatable. I’m also coming back to WSTRN a lot. Big Zuu is doing bits, too – he's here tonight actually MCing the games...

"As a Tottenham fan growing up, it's always been my aim to play for the club."

What have you made of Nike’s new Phantom VSN boot? You’ll be stepping out in them this season.

I’ve been injured for a minute so I’ve not really tried it properly but when I have had the chance to lace up they’ve always felt comfortable and I can’t wait to get a ball at my feet with them properly.

It’s looking like you’ll be at Spurs this coming season after a good loan spell with Aston Villa last year. Do you feel like now is the time to establish yourself in the Premier League?

Yeah, absolutely. As a Tottenham fan growing up it’s always been my aim to play for the club and I’m going to try my best this season to break through and turn some heads – but we’ll see what happens, all I can do is give it my all and I’m always ready to do that.

Photography by Keaton Rich.