Tottenham Hotspur’s Japhet Tanganga has told Football London that Alfie Devine has impressed in first-team training every time he has stepped up.
Devine has been given regular opportunities to step into senior training this year by Jose Mourinho, with the Tottenham boss taking a shine to the central midfielder.
The 16-year-old only arrived at Tottenham from Wigan in the summer, but he spent all pre-season with the first-team.
And Tanganga has suggested that Devine has never looked out of his depth, despite his tender years.
“He’s trained a few times with us and every time he’s come up he’s looked a real spark. He’s doing well,” said Tanganga.
“When he was coming on [with me at half-time], I just told him, ‘Keep it simple, do what you’ve been doing in training – there’s a reason why you’ve been training up’.
“Today you saw glimpses of his ability, a really professional performance. I’m really happy for him to get his first professional goal. He’s a really good player and there’s more to come as well.”
Devine made headlines at the weekend, as he came off the bench to score for Tottenham in their 5-0 FA Cup triumph over Marine.
Devine created a pocket of space in the box well, before lashing the ball into the near post.
By hitting the back of the net, the teenager became Tottenham’s youngest scorer of all time.
And there are increasingly high hopes for the former Wigan trainee’s future in North London now.
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