Reports indicate that Tottenham are set to wrap up a deal for Wigan Athletic midfielder, Alfie Devine after the youngster completed a medical with the North London giants over the weekend (The Athletic’s David Ornstein).
The youngster was reportedly sought after by several Premier League clubs but it is the Lilywhites who are said to have won the race.
Here’s all that you need to know about the talented youngster:
Full Name: Alfie Devine
Club: Wigan Athletic
Age: 15
Nationality: England
Position: Centre midfielder
Playing Style: Devine is an all-action midfielder who specialises in a box to box role. The midfielder’s vision and technical quality on the ball are among the best in his age group, while his energy levels and tenacity also make him a valuable asset defensively.
Strengths: Passing, vision, energy
Weaknesses: Physical strength and decision making (which is to be expected given his age)
Highlights of His Career: Since being released by Liverpool’s academy at the age of 11, Devine has built up a reputation as one of the best young midfield talents in the country.
The 15-year-old shot to the limelight with his performances in the FA Youth Cup for Wigan this season, which included a 2-0 win over Spurs.
The midfielder has already been capped for Wigan’s Under-18s and Under-23s, while also having represented England at Under-16 level. He was even named Player of the Tournament in the SportChain Cup in December, despite being one of the youngest players in the competition.
Players with Similar Styles: Devine is still quite a raw talent and so it is hard to tell what kind of a player he will evolve into as he matures physically and mentally.
The players whose style Devine’s is more similar to are box-to-box midfielders like Steven Gerrard and Patrick Vieira.
Although the teenager has some way to go before deserving comparisons with the Liverpool and Arsenal legends, the energy and technical quality that Devine brings to the table make him a player of a similar mould.
However, it is possible that he could evolve into a more attack-minded midfielder as he matures, considering his tendency to take risks on the ball.
Spurs Web’s Take: Devine is thought of as one of the brightest prospects in the country and it looks like he was sought after by many different Premier League sides. There are very little downsides to this transfer, particularly considering the rumoured £500,000 fee (Daily Mail). Given that FFP is proving extremely difficult to implement, the only way we can secure the club’s future and ensure we compete with clubs like Man City, is by adding quality to our academy set up and providing a reasonable pathway to the first-team.
Have something to tell us about this article?
