Tottenham fans love nothing more than to see players come through the academy and make it in the first team. After seeing a number make the step up during Mauricio Pochettino's reign as Spurs boss, the pathway from academy to the senior side has unfortunately dried up in recent seasons.
That is something Daniel Levy wants to fix, though, as he bids to see the return of the club's talented youngsters progressing all the way through to the first team. As important as it was for the chairman to appoint a new head coach who plays a brand of football that the Lilywhites are known for, it was also vital for him to find someone who can develop players and also has "an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy".
In a statement following the decision to appoint Ange Postecoglou as Antonio Conte's successor, the 61-year-old said: "Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."
One thing the appointment of Postecoglou will guarantee is that Tottenham will play attractive and entertaining football. Doing likewise in his previous jobs, the Australian earned rave reviews for his Celtic team playing an exciting brand of football in a 4-3-3 system that saw them win five out of a possible six trophies during his two years in Scotland.
Having three attackers in his starting XI, the trio were then joined in the final third by two of the team's three midfielders who were given the licence to push on and offer support to the frontman. Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and Matt O'Riley, all of whom operated as the advanced midfielders and were given specific instructions to push forward, more than played their part in Celtic's success with goals and assists.
Hatate had 20 goal involvements to his name (nine goals and 11 assists), with Mooy (seven goals and 11 assists) and O'Riley (four goals and 14 assists) contributing 18 goal involvements each and Turnbull 12 (five goals and seven assists). The hope is that the Tottenham players who will take on the role under Postecoglou will also be able to produce big numbers and help the team achieve their lofty ambitions in the process.
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In terms of players coming through the academy and starring in the first team, Postecoglou will soon have the opportunity to work with one youngster who could take on an attacking midfield role at some point in the future. Alfie Devine has made quite the impression in north London since first linking up with the club's academy in July 2020 as a 15-year-old following his move from Wigan Athletic.
Given a chance by Jose Mourinho in Spurs' first-team friendlies that summer, a few months down the line the attacking midfielder etched his name into Tottenham folklore after becoming the club's youngest player and youngest goalscorer after netting on his senior debut in the 5-0 FA Cup triumph over non-league side Marine.
On the bench in the Premier League twice that season and three times in 2021/22, Devine, who has been a regular in first-team training at Hotspur Way for quite some time now, was introduced by Antonio Conte for a matter of minutes in the team's 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round clash between the teams at the beginning of this year.
Asked by football.london about the 18-year-old at the end of February, Cristian Stellini heaped praise on the Warrington-born ace.
"Since we have lost [Yves] Bissouma and [Rodrigo] Bentancur, Alfie Devine is part of the squad completely 100%," said the Italian. "He train every day with us. Sometime we let him go to play with the Under-21s because he needs to play.
"He is a young player and we want him to feel ready to play a game. If you don't live the possibility to play a match, they lose the power and young players need to play many, many games."
He added: "He has the quality, he has power in his mind. Mentally he is a good player because he train every day completely at our level."
Only making one senior appearance for Tottenham last season, the vast majority of the youngster's football came in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League. Registering five goals and three assists in 21 appearances, the attacking midfielder showcased why he is rated so highly by the club with some mightily impressive performances.
Always looking to support the striker due to his attacking instincts, the goals Devine has scored highlights that he could be a hit in Postecoglou's midfield three at some point in the future if given an opportunity by the Australian. His first goal in the UEFA Youth League win over Eintracht Frankfurt is a prime example as his excellent run between the opposition defence was picked out by a superb pass from Jamie Donley, with the attacking midfielder rounding the goalkeeper and calmly finding the goal.
Devine was also on the scoresheet twice in England's recent FIFA Under-20s World Cup campaign in Argentina. Scoring in their 3-2 win over Uruguay in the group stage after getting forward and supporting in attack before arrowing the ball into the bottom corner, Devine then netted in their Round of 16 defeat against Italy after darting into the box to convert emphatically at the front post from fellow Tottenham youngster Dane Scarlett's cross.
Eight minutes before that goal against the Azzurri, Devine had rattled the crossbar after another smart run into the area. The goals shine a light on the player's excellent movement, linkup play and ability to find the net, thus demonstrating that he does possess the necessary qualities to take on one of the attacking midfield positions in Postecoglou's midfield three in the future.
It remains to be seen what will happen with Devine heading into the new season, as the club - as well as player for that matter - may deem it the ideal time to head out on loan and enhance his game by playing in a first-team environment week in, week out. Before that, Postecoglou will take a look at his Tottenham players and that will give the ex-Wigan man the opportunity to catch his eye.
With one of the main factors in Levy appointing Postecoglou as boss due to his "strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy," the arrival of the Australian could really play into Devine's hands. The 18-year-old could indeed be the first player to demonstrate to all Spurs' youngsters at Hotspur Way that there is a pathway from the academy to the first team under the new man at the helm.
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