Tottenham sent Alfie Dorrington on loan at Aberdeen during the January transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur have an extremely talented pool of youngsters and academy products that Ange Postecoglou wants to nurture within the N17 corridors by giving opportunities in the first team.
The Australian coach has trusted the youngsters and given them opportunities to express themselves since taking over the club’s reins in 2023. And it has been reflected through Spurs’ transfer policy and vision as well since the summer of 2023.
Ange Postecoglou is very well aware of which youngsters are capable of making an immediate impression in the first team and which could do well with a loan. Thus, he sanctioned loan moves for many academy talents and youngsters in the last two transfer windows. One of the academy kids to leave the club on loan during the January transfer window was Alfie Dorrington.
Alfie Dorrington signed a new contract at White Hart Lane until 2029 and joined Scottish side Aberdeen on loan for the rest of the season. However, the towering young defender has started just one of the four games he has featured for Aberdeen.
As a result, reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham has expressed both his frustration and surprise at the Tottenham academy talent’s lack of minutes in the Scottish Premiership.
“It is beyond frustrating how little Dorrington has played,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“He needs the minutes; he has gone to Aberdeen to play regular football. I want him to be playing every single game that he is eligible to play in while he is at the club. For me, he would be Aberdeen’s best defender.
“Therefore, I find it surprising that he isn’t starting every game for them. However, hopefully, that changes.”
Alfie Dorrington is a talented young defender with composure on the ball and leadership skills, which has been on display when captaining the England Under-19 side. Following Spurs defensive crisis, Ange Postecoglou promoted him to the first-team squad this season and he made his senior debut during the 5-0 win over Southampton in mid-December.
Many fans would have wondered why he did not get opportunities to showcase his skill set when experienced defenders such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies were all out injured. This was perhaps due to Big Ange feeling Dorrington was not ready for regular first-team football at Tottenham and a loan move would benefit him.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- “It is time to go…” – Ex-scout thinks Tottenham player whose contract ends in the summer can leave in the January window
- “He is good enough…” – Club insider asks Tottenham to bring in 26yo forward who has struggled for game time
- “That is an option for Tottenham…” – Journalist backs Levy to move for defender that was once wanted by Conte at N17
However, the loan spell at Aberdeen has not worked as planned thus far. Dorrington has failed to make the desired impact for the Scottish side, clocking 166 minutes across three appearances. The towering will be raring to break into the Premiership side’s starting XI after a tough start to his loan spell.
Big Ange and our club chiefs will be tracking Dorrington’s displays at Aberdeen. They will hope the defender manages to get as many minutes as possible and gain valuable experience in his first loan spell in Scotland.
