Tottenham loanee Josh Keeley has been performing well in goal for Leyton Orient
Tottenham Hotspur struck a fair few deals during the summer transfer window, and most of them focused on getting in young prospects.
Besides investing millions to strengthen the first-team squad, Daniel Levy and Johan Lange also decided to loan out a handful of academy kids to gain valuable experience in men’s football. One of them to leave the north London club on loan was Josh Keeley.
After impressing in goal for Tottenham’s Under-21 side during the first half of last campaign, Josh Keeley spent the second half of last season on loan at non-league side Barnet in January. The youngster produced some excellent displays at Barnet and his performances saw EFL League One club Leyton Orient secure him on loan in the summer.
While Leyton Orient have struggled this season and remain just two places above the dreaded relegation zone, the Spurs academy starlet has given a good account of himself of late. The 21-year-old has started Leyton’s last four league games. Overall, he has made six appearances thus far, conceding nine goals and keeping two clean sheets.
John Wenham—the owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose—has been excited with the progress Keeley has made at Leyton Orient in League One. He feels the young goalkeeper is now going from “strength to strength” under manager Richie Wellens.
“Keeley was actually rested for that match against MK Dons,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“Therefore, what that tells us is that he is viewed as the number one goalkeeper for the club. For Keeley, that is just amazing.
“He is just going from strength to strength during this loan spell. As a result, I’m really pleased for him.”
It feels like Keeley is now the new No.1 at Leyton, as evidenced by Wellens starting him in the last four consecutive league games. It took him until late October to feature in the league for the O’s, but since being handed his League One debut against Northampton, the Irishman hasn’t looked back.
The young shot-stopper has shown great character and resilience to turn things around and establish himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Gaughan Group Stadium. Fellow Spurs academy kid Jamie Donley is also on loan at Leyton, and perhaps the attacking midfielder would have helped Keeley overcome a tough start to life in the second tier of English football.
Keeley is a talented goalkeeper who has performed well for the Tottenham Under-21s. Him going out on loan was a wise collective decision taken in the summer, and should the 21-year-old continue to perform well in Leyton colours, the North London outfit could have a big decision to make regarding his future next summer.
More Tottenham News:
- Tottenham eyeing ambitious transfer for £50 million Asian prodigy
- Tottenham uged to loan out talent ‘most in need’ as development risks stalling
- Tottenham keeping tabs on Enzo Maresca favourite as Chelsea raid eyed
With undisputed Spurs No.1 Guglielmo Vicario yet to fully convince everyone, Keeley will sense a window of opportunity to complete his Leyton loan strongly and return to his parent club to challenge the Italian international next season.
