Alasdair Gold predicts make or break season for two Tottenham youngsters
Alasdair Gold has predicted that the upcoming season could be extremely crucial for two Spurs young academy graduates, with both fighting for their futures at Tottenham after failing to develop the way they were expected to over the last couple of years.
Many of Tottenham’s young guns are on their way up and looking to catch the eye of Thomas Frank this summer and force themselves into the Dane’s first-team plans.
Among these is Luka Vuskovic, who Frank allegedly wants to assess in pre-season, with the Lilywhites thought to have rejected loan offers for the Croat.
There have also been suggestions that Jamie Donley could also be part of Tottenham’s first-team plans next season after the midfielder came of age last season on loan at Leyton Orient.
Door might be open for Dane Scarlett to stay at Tottenham
Dane Scarlett has been thought of very highly at Hotspur Way for a long time now but the striker has disappointed in all of his loan spells.
Alasdair Gold has suggested that this season could be make-or-break for the forward, explaining that a spot might open up for him in Spurs’ first-team squad if he impresses in the summer, given Tottenham’s lack of homegrown and club-trained options.
Gold wrote in Football.London: “It seems crazy to say for a 21-year-old but this feels like a make-or-break season for Dane Scarlett in terms of what comes next for him at Tottenham. The striker has been the next big thing at Spurs for years now and has been heralded by a string of managers without quite igniting either for the club or out on loan.”
He added: “Within Tottenham people rave about Scarlett’s finishing and his hold-up play has improved and the delight for him among the players when he finally netted that first goal was there for all to see.
“The need for a homegrown forward kept around the club is likely to see either him or Will Lankshear stick around for the first half of the season and whichever path Scarlett takes after Frank’s decision, he needs to grab the opportunity.”
Alasdair Gold reveals Spurs coach is a fan of Alfie Devine
Gold identified Alfie Devine as another young player who is now at a crossroads at Tottenham, with Frank expected to make a final decision on the attacking midfielder this summer.
Interestingly, the journalist revealed that one factor could work in the 20-year-old’s favour, which is that Frank’s right-hand man, Justin Cochrane, is an admirer of the youngster.
Gold added: “As with Scarlett, it feels like this could be a make-or-break season for Alfie Devine, who turns 21 this summer, after a string of loan moves without really getting a chance at Tottenham.
“Frank will make the final decision on what happens next for the midfielder, who has one year plus an option for another 12 months on his contract.
“It’s worth noting that Frank’s assistant Justin Cochrane, who has returned to Tottenham after working in the academy years ago, also worked with Devine in the England set-up for two years and was known to be a fan. He could make Frank aware of the talent the young midfielder possesses.”
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