John Wenham believes ‘outstanding’ Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine must go out on loan
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome John Wenham of Lilywhite Rose as our exclusive columnist. Each week, he’ll be giving his expert insight on the biggest talking points at Spurs…
Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine must now make a loan switch in order to continue his development and QPR could be the “perfect” destination, according to John Wenham.
In 2021, a then 16-year-old Devine became the youngest ever player to make a competitive appearance for Tottenham against Marine in the FA Cup, and in the same match became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Since then, his development has not continued in the way some might have hoped and he has been given limited opportunities as well as being denied loan switches.
Wenham believes now is the time for Devine to go and get regular game time and rates the 18-year-old very highly, describing him as “outstanding” and saying he is a “better player” than Bristol City talent Alex Scott, with the two having played alongside each other on international duty.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Wenham said: “I feel incredibly frustrated for him. 18 months ago, he was told he’d go out on loan, there were moves lined up for him and, effectively, Tottenham couldn’t believe their luck that at the end of the transfer window they managed to offload Dele Alli, as well as Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso on loan.
“Devine was told you can’t go on loan anymore, because we need you to fill up a space in the squad and be on the bench. Then last summer he was promised to go on loan again and it didn’t happen.
“He absolutely has to go out on loan, otherwise it’d be another complete waste of his development that has gone on for the last 18 months. There’s a club, I think it’d be perfect for him, they’re short of players, they’re based in London and that’s Queens Park Rangers.
“I think he’s one of those where if you dropped him in the championship, he would instantly not look out of place and would be fine getting 35/40 games under his belt. The best characteristics he’s got make him ready for the Championship, he’s incredibly tenacious and aggressive, he doesn’t buckle any challenge, and he’s not afraid of anybody.
“I remember a youth game against Chelsea where Danny Drinkwater basically took him out, got a red card, Alfie was straight up, against a Premier League winner 20 years older than him, confronted him with no fear, and told him what was right and what was wrong.
“He is an outstanding player, and another point I just want to address is whenever I see him play with England, he’s in that midfield normally with Alex Scott. I see clubs now bidding up to £25million for Alex Scott. Whenever I watch them for England, Alfie looks the better, more developed player.
“I just think, if you give Alfie the development to get out there and play, he will perform and he will perform to a high level.”
In other Tottenham News, Ange Postecoglou should meanwhile avoid the temptation to send another youngster out on loan.