Tottenham take on AC Milan inside the San Siro tonight as the Champions League returns – and there could be a huge opportunity for Alfie Devine.
What’s the story?
Well, the 18-year-old wonderkid has not even featured on the bench for Spurs in the Premier League this season, but Antonio Conte has still decided to take him to Milan ahead of the Round of 16 clash.
Devine – a central midfielder who can also operate further forward – has been included in Tottenham’s trip to Milan after Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma both suffered serious injuries.
Therefore, Conte could quite feasibly hand the teenager his Champions League debut tonight.
The Italian is expected to start either Oliver Skipp or Pape Matar Sarr after Bentancur was ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Hojbjerg is suspended.
With Bissouma also out, that would not leave many central midfield options on the bench for Conte, so Devine could be in store for a huge opportunity against AC Milan of all sides.
The England Under-19 international, who was actually released by Liverpool at the age of 11, has scored three goals in just four UEFA Youth League appearances this season.
Devine has earned Champions League opportunity for Tottenham
Even if Devine doesn’t get any minutes against AC Milan tonight, he deserves his place amongst the first-team.
The Warrington-born wonderkid, who Spurs signed from Wigan for £300,000, became Tottenham’s youngest ever goalscorer with a strike against Marine in the FA Cup back in January 2021, aged just 16 years and 163 days.
In total, Devine – who José Mourinho once likened to Bruno Fernandes – has registered 15 goal involvements in 41 appearances for the Under-21 side, and has certainly been one of the brighter performers for Spurs in the youth ranks.
If he manages to get onto the San Siro pitch tonight, it would be a well deserved Champions League debut.
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