The October international break is upon us which gives us a chance to reflect on all of Spurs’ players out on loan and assess how they are getting on so far this campaign.
The Lilywhites have thirteen players out on a temporary basis, all looking for a chance to impress Ange Postecoglou and convince the Australian that their future lies in North London.
These players are competing at various different levels in various different countries. Let’s see how they are performing.
Jamie Donley – Leyton Orient
After being heavily involved in Spurs’ pre-season tour of Asia, the 20-year-old was shipped out to neighbouring club Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.
Orient manager Richie Wellens has entrusted Donley on several occasions but the attacking midfielder is yet to contribute statistically.
It is important to remember that this is the Englishman’s first consistent taste of senior football having made four cameos for Spurs’ first team.
It is looking increasingly likely that Orient are going to be involved in a fight for survival in League One this campaign as they sit in 19th position and level on points with the dreaded relegation spots.
However, this battle could offer invaluable experience to Donley as he pursues a path into Postecoglou’s plans.
Josh Keeley- Leyton Orient
The 6’0 goalkeeper followed in his academy teammate’s footsteps this summer as he also finds himself in East London with Leyton Orient.
The Irishman has seen limited minutes so far with a solitary appearance in the Carabao Cup against Brentford.
The 0’s were knocked out by the Premier League opposition in a comprehensive 3-1 defeat and Keeley could do very little about any of goals from Fabio Carvalho, Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard.
The stopper has struggled to even make the substitutes bench, and his parent club may explore the option of recalling him if the situation remains unchanged.
Luka Vuskovic – Westerlo
The defensive prodigy has continued to develop at an exponential rate as he is dominating the Belgian first division at the tender age of 17.
The Croatian has taken every challenge in his stride and the budding teenager is one of the hottest youth prospects in Europe.
Vuskovic represents a new era of central defenders, a profile of player with the ability to be comfortable in possession and a goal threat, whilst also being defensively solid.
He has already netted four times this term, a staggering statistic for a central defender, including a brace in his last league outing against Beerschot.
Such is Vuskovic’s talent and physical presence, the 17-year-old could be ready for Premier League football as early as next season with Postecoglou already dropping hints that this is a likely scenario.
Alfie Devine – Westerlo
Spurs’ youngest ever goal scorer is also at Westerlo alongside future Spurs teammate Vuskovic.
The 20-year-old has shown glimpses of what he is capable of in Belgium so far after sealing the move on deadline day.
Many Spurs fans were underwhelmed with the location of the loan move as a lot of fans believed his development was best spent in England.
However, after loan moves at Plymouth Argyle and Port Vale, Westerlo offers a whole different proposition.
A new league and a new country means a whole new culture and brand of football to acclimatise to, which can only benefit Devine’s evolution.
George Abbott – Notts County
Spurs’ U21 captain has been welcomed with open arms in Nottingham and has already turned out eight times for Notts County.
The 19-year-old has been primarily deployed at the base of the midfield by manager Stuart Maynard and Abbott has displayed with maturity way beyond his years.
Abbott’s versatility makes him a valuable asset for any squad as he is equally adept at full-back and centre-half and has even appeared for the Magpies in forward areas.
His willingness to help the team regardless of his position speaks volumes about the talent and character he possesses, and if the former Reading man continues to perform he may be a surprise inclusion in Postecoglou’s plans.
Ashley Phillips – Stoke City
The centre-half’s progression has been stunted as he has only made one league appearance for Stoke City this season.
Phillips has had to face adversity in his short time at the club, as Steven Schumacher (the man who brought him on loan to fellow Championship club Plymouth Argyle the previous season) was relieved of his duties last month.
In his three appearances in all competitions, Stoke have kept a clean sheet in two of those games, so it is a slight mystery as to why Phillips has not been more involved.
The 19-year-old has not been preferred by interim coach Narcis Pelach and after suffering a concussion a few weeks ago, he has been an unused substitute in the Potter’s last two matches.
Alejo Veliz - Espanyol
After a lively start to life at Espanyol, Veliz’s form has petered out.
He announced himself to the Espanyol faithful in stunning fashion, with 96th minute winner against Rayo Vallecano that made the RCDE stadium erupt.
But he has since entered a spell of not scoring in five appearances and his dip in form has resulted in Manolo Gonzalez dropping the striker entirely.
Despite this, the Argentine has already recorded more minutes then he did at his last loan spell at fellow La Liga club Sevilla in the second half of 2023/24 campaign.
Spurs were left frustrated as the Spanish outfit hindered his progress with Veliz making only six appearances.
Manor Solomon – Leeds United
Solomon is arguably the highest profile loanee, as the Israel international spends the season with Championship title contenders Leeds United.
After a promising start to his career in North London, the 25-year-old spent the large majority of last season on the side-lines.
A meniscus injury that the winger sustained in October required surgery and Solomon was unable to recover until after the campaign had concluded.
Leeds have offered much needed first team football and Daniel Farke’s team are vying for a swift return to the Premier league.
Solomon began life in Yorkshire brightly with an assist on his full debut against Hull City.
However, the following week the former Fulham player publicly apologised on his social media after his mistake lead to the decisive goal in Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to promotion rivals Burnley last month.
In an unfortunate turn of events, that game against Burnley has ended up being his last appearance, as a hamstring injury has forced him to watch on once again.
Solomon desperately needs a change in fortune regarding his fitness otherwise he will not have the opportunity to rediscover his pre-injury form.
Dane Scarlett – Oxford United
It is a make-or break type of season in deciding Scarlett’s future at the club and so far the striker has failed to make a rousing impression.
Following their promotion from League One last season, Oxford United have commenced the season in surprising fashion as they currently occupy tenth position in the Championship.
However, on a personal level it has been frustrating beginning for Scarlett and four consecutive substitute appearances sums up his short time at the club.
The 20-year-old has previously had loan spells at Portsmouth and Ipswich Town and in both cases Scarlett did not deliver.
Bryan Gil - Girona
Girona bolstered their squad this summer by recruiting the diminutive winger as they compete in the prestigious UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.
The Spaniard opened his account with a terrific, volleyed effort against Osasuna, which was the perfect way to introduce himself on his home debut.
Gil made his Champions League debut away at Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain where they were only foiled by a 90th minute own goal by former Spurs stopper Paulo Gazzaniga.
The harsh reality of the situation is the fact that Gil’s build and attributes are not suited to English football.
It seems as if Spurs have come to the realisation that Gil’s astronomical potential that he arrived with after his £25 million move back in 2021 will never materialise in North London.
If Gil continues to impress, Girona may choose to exercise their £15 million buy option, a move that would benefit all parties.
Matthew Craig – Barnsley
Craig has been a mainstay in Darrell Clarke’s Barnsley with nine League One appearances to his name so far.
The Owls currently sit only one point outside of the playoffs, and to the delight of everyone associated with Spurs, Craig has played an integral role.
The 21-year-old is utilised as a midfield lynchpin for Barnsley and his strengths lie in recycling possession and dictating the tempo.
The Scottish midfielder has carried the momentum of a successful spell at Doncaster Rovers last campaign into his new club and continues to consistently perform.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Marseille
Despite his move to France being all but permanent, the Dane’s deal is still technically a loan.
Hojbjerg has been one of the first name on the team sheet for Roberto de Zerbi’s new look Marseille as they occupy third position and trail league leaders Monaco by five points
Carey Bloedorn – Aveley