Even though Ange Postecoglou’s team is beleaguered by injuries and suspensions, Alan Hutton doesn’t think Jamie Donley will be starting for Tottenham in the first team anytime soon.
Prior to their recent losses in which injuries and red cards began to mar their nearly perfect record, Spurs had been undefeated in the Premier League. Donley, an 18-year-old attacker, is adaptable and can play as a centre forward, the number 10 position, or anywhere in the middle of the midfield.
This season, he has also been in incredible form for Spurs’ Under-21 squad, making eight appearances in Premier League 2 and dishing out eight assists.
The England Under-19 international’s performance has put him on Postecoglou’s radar; prior to the international break, the Australian manager named him on the bench for the victories over Liverpool and Wolves.
Similar to injured players like Richarlison, James Maddison, and Manor Solomon, Donley can play a similar position.
Hutton, though, doesn’t think Donley will be starting for Tottenham anytime soon because Postecoglou is still monitoring him in training at Hotspur Way in advance of Sunday’s (November 26) Spurs game against Aston Villa at The Lane.
Look, this will only be known to Ange. Hutton told Tottenham News that he would know whether or not Donley is prepared.
“It’s one thing to play against a team that plays at a high level and is right below them in the league, but to be thrown in to play against that is a huge ask.”
Postecoglou alone will be aware. He’ll see him every day when the first team squad is in training. He will want to know if he has the necessary disposition and character to handle this.
It’s a significant improvement over being on the sidelines, where he hasn’t yet appeared on the pitch.
Ange will make a big call to do that in this game.”
