Tottenham academy talent Jamie Donley has been performing very well on loan at Leyton Orient
Tottenham Hotspur struck a fair few deals during the past two transfer windows, and most of them focused on getting in young prospects.
Besides investing millions to strengthen the first-team squad, Daniel Levy and Ange Postecoglou also decided to loan out a handful of academy kids to gain valuable experience in men’s football. One of them to leave White Hart Lane on loan was Jamie Donley.
Jamie Donley has shone at Leyton Orient in Football League One, emerging as one of the division’s most creative talents. The youngster has scored six goals and assisted seven more in 34 league appearances for Leyton Orient this season, with Richie Wellens’ side currently occupying ninth spot in the table.
The midfielder grabbed headlines in the FA Cup with a superb performance against Manchester City in February. Donley sent the home fans into raptures just 16 minutes into the game, sensationally lobbing from the half line that hit the crossbar and deflected in off Man City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, resulting in a goal that will be remembered in FA Cup history for a long time.
Having thrived at Leyton, a decision will have to be made in the summer as to what the initial plan is for Donley, who claimed he made a good decision to leave Spurs on loan. Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks the North Londoners could loan the Northern Ireland out again, albeit higher up the football pyramid.
“He’s played regularly, he’s enjoyed playing, scoring goals and making a name for himself. That’s why Tottenham obviously have got the player in the first place, and then the reason for the loan system is to allow players to develop and flourish and play football in lower leagues,” Paul Robinson exclusively told Tottenham News.
“I think it’s important not to cost young players’ development. I’ve said it a million times before. I’d much rather see a youngster go out and play a season in the Championship or in League One than be a bit part player. There’s an element of getting some good experience, training with the Tottenham first team every week.
“If he’s going to come in and be more than a bit part player next season, then there’s an argument that the manager will keep him at the club. But for him, for the age that he is at, I think playing first team football at that age is invaluable.”
Donley is a talented player who has performed well for the Tottenham youth sides. Him going out on loan was a wise collective decision taken in the summer, and once he completes the season with Leyton Orient, the Lilywhites will have a big decision to make regarding his future next summer.
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As per reports, Spurs will welcome Donley back into the squad for pre-season to understand whether he is ready for first-team action next season. Highly regarded within the club, the Antrim-born prodigy is expected to get chances to impress the bosses at White Hart Lane later this year.
If they feel the midfielder is still not ready for first-team action, they could send him out on loan to the Championship.