Tottenham Wonderkid Imitates Micky van de Ven: Just What Ange Postecoglou Needs

Latest Tottenham News: Alfie Dorrington has sent a clear message to Ange Postecoglou while playing for Spurs under-21s.

Ange Postecoglou is undoubtedly helping Tottenham create an exciting squad for the future. With Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gary, both 18, among the summer arrivals, Spurs have added young talent to their first team. This is without even mentioning those progressing through the academy.

Rising Talents at Hotspur Way

• Mikey Moore has been touted as the next big thing, while Will Lankshear has also impressed.
• Alfie Devine and Jamie Donley are at different stages in their development, both on loan at Westerlo (Belgium) and Leyton Orient (League One), respectively.
• Luka Vuskovic, another teenage centre-back, is enjoying his football at Westerlo after signing from Hajduk Split.

Alfie Dorrington’s Return from Injury

One centre-back whose development was interrupted by injury is Alfie Dorrington. After a hamstring issue sidelined him for much of 2024, he made his return last week against Valencia in the Premier League International Cup.

Impressive Performance Against Exeter City

In a more recent clash against Exeter City in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Dorrington was in the starting XI for Tottenham’s under-21s. The League One side had started the season well, but Dorrington was required to be alert early on.

Inside the first 15 minutes, he cleared several dangerous crosses with precise positioning. Despite Exeter’s attempts to bypass Spurs’ high line with long balls, Dorrington marshalled the defence superbly, forcing their attackers offside eight times in the first half.

Fitting Into Postecoglou’s System

Postecoglou prefers a high defensive line, and Dorrington demonstrated how seamlessly he could fit into this system. During the match, he showcased his recovery pace by cutting out a dangerous through ball, reminiscent of Micky van de Ven’s famous defensive plays.

Dorrington also exhibited his passing range. In one instance, he launched a first-time cross-field pass that found Oliver Irow, drawing applause from the away fans. His dribbling runs through the Exeter midfielders echoed the style of Cristian Romero and Van de Ven.

What’s Next for Dorrington?

Despite Exeter scoring from a corner, it was an expertly executed set-piece that few teams could have stopped. After being substituted around the hour mark, Dorrington received significant applause from the fans, offering them a smile and a thumbs up in return.

His performance is a clear sign of why Postecoglou has taken an interest in him. If Dorrington continues delivering these types of performances, it won’t be long before he’s making his mark on the senior team.