Tottenham midfielder Alfie Devine continues to improve on loan with Plymouth Argyle
Tottenham supporters should be incredibly excited about the potential of 19-year-old midfielder Alfie Devine.
Ange Postecoglou has a gem on his hands who could become an important player for Spurs over the next couple of years.
Following a positive loan spell in EFL League One with Port Vale, where he scored three goals and provided three assists across 26 appearances in what was his first real experience of senior first-team football, Devine made the step up.
He was recalled to North London and sent on loan to Championship side Plymouth Argyle for the remainder of the season (Spurs’ Official X, 17 January), where he is playing alongside his Tottenham teammate Ashley Phillips, who is also on loan with the club.
Upon his arrival in Devon, Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Foster was full of praise for the youngster.
Foster said (via Plymouth Herald, 17 January), “I know how talented he is, I know how hard-working he is, and it gives me a little bit of a head start because he knows the role and he knows exactly what I will be asking him to do. Regardless of the shape, he understands the principles of play.”
Tottenham future is bright for Devine
Devine has quickly become an important player for Plymouth, starting each of the club’s four Championship fixtures since he joined in mid-January.
He has two assists in that time, with one of those coming on his debut, and the other in his most recent and arguably most impressive performance for the club.
Devine completed the full 90 minutes as his side drew 2-2 with Coventry at Home Park on Wednesday 14 February and was impressive throughout.
In addition to his one assist, he had three shots and completed 100 per cent of his dribbles (three out of three) while he also managed to complete 81 per cent of his passes, with two of those key (Sofascore).
Defensively he was just as impressive as he won nine of his 13 ground duels and made two tackles and one interception.
He was also fouled four times, which demonstrates just how much of a handful he is for opposition defenders.
If Postecoglou was watching on, he would have been delighted by what he saw.
Phillips also started and impressed on the night, as he won 100 per cent of his ground duels and four of his five aerial duels while he also completed 81 per cent of his passes, made four clearances, one interception and blocked one shot.
It will be fascinating to see how the exciting Spurs duo continue to develop over the next couple of years, and what Postecoglou’s plans for the pair are next season.
In other Tottenham news, there was a worry for the club with one 100 per cent defender nowhere to be seen in Spurs training on Wednesday.
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