Matthew Chadder

Sat 22 July 2023 14:10, UK

Alfie Dorrington could be set for a big season with Tottenham after shining with the Under-21s last year.

It was the same old story against West Ham. Seven shots faced, three goals conceded. Once again it was the club’s defensive line acting as their Achilles heel.

Going forward Spurs looked bright and the complete opposite of what had been seen under Antonio Conte. Ange Postecoglou is clearly having an early impact, but he can’t do it without some support.

Any manager in world football would struggle to succeed in North London considering the number of individual errors Tottenham defenders constantly make at the back. If the Australian is going to have any chance at success, he needs defensive reinforcements desperately.

However, one of those reinforcements could already be right underneath his nose in the form of 18-year-old Dorrington. Football London have reported (20 July) that the 57-year-old is set to take a closer look at the highly rated academy product, with a view to him making the step up this season.

Dorrington is one of the club’s most talented young central defenders and recently signed a new deal that will keep him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2026. While his youth and lack of experience suggest he is not the club’s immediate answer, his involvement could certainly benefit Spurs in the long run.

Having only just turned 18 this past April, the talented youngster has already made the jump up to Under-21 football, making 10 appearances in Premier League Two last year. He has also already been called up by the England Under-18s, featuring for his nation twice, starting once and coming off the bench in the other game, winning on both occasions.

Dorrington also tasted success at Under-17 and Under-18 levels for his club side recently. He started the final for the Under-17s as they defeated Nottingham Forest 5-1 on 19 April to lift the Premier League Cup, and then made it a double as he once again started the Under-18 Premier League Cup final, a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on 4 May.

Now, the next step for the academy prospect is senior football, with Dorrington yet to make his first-team debut, although that could change this season with his new manager keeping a close eye on him.

It is the perfect next step in his development and fans might be seeing the name Dorrington on a few senior team-sheets during the forthcoming campaign.

In other Tottenham news, another youngster at the club has already impressed during pre-season.