Tottenham’s loan players had mixed experiences as many of them returned to club football following the international break.
Spurs currently have a group of 10 players out on loan across the Football League and Spain after a busy summer transfer window in north London resulted in a major overhaul of Ange Postecoglou’s squad. Many are gaining valuable experience, some are trying to catch the eye of Postecoglou or their manager on loan, while others are looking to earn moves elsewhere or in one case already have them set up.
That is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is on loan at Marseille but with an obligation to move to the Ligue 1 club so we’re going to only mention him in passing occasionally as he is not part of Tottenham’s future going forward.
football.london has taken a look below at exactly how the rest of the group of Spurs loan players got on over the past week.
Manor Solomon (Leeds United)
Manor Solomon’s second match for Leeds did not go the way of his sparkling debut as one moment proved pivotal on Saturday. The left winger’s unfortunate slip at the end of the first half against Burnley allowed Luca Koleosho the whole flank free to run the length of the pitch to score the only goal of the game at Elland Road.
Solomon was busy from then on, setting up a couple of opportunities for team-mates but they could not find a way through and the 25-year-old was taken off after 78 minutes.
The Israel international received a six in Leeds Live’s player ratings with the review: “Very unfortunate to slip when he did in what proved to be the decisive moment of the match. Otherwise, he looked like United’s best player in attack. Speed of feet and thought will hurt a lot of opponents this season, but today’s visitors just about had answers to all of his questions.”
Bryan Gil (Girona)
Bryan Gil also had a tough day at the office after his impressive start at Girona. He was taken off just nine minutes into the second half of their 4-1 home defeat to Barcelona on Sunday in La Liga.
The 23-year-old was hauled off with the visitors already 3-0 up and Lamine Yamal having scored twice in the first half. Gil had a huge chance in first half added time from six yards out, only to send his shot straight at the goalkeeper. He did not last long in the second half before being taken out of the action after Dani Olmo scored Barcelona’s third goal.
“Time to be united and bring out our best in what is coming. This doesn’t stop, LET’S GO @gironafc,” he posted on Instagram after the match.
Alejo Veliz (Espanyol)
Alejo Veliz made it five consecutive starts for Espanyol but the 20-year-old striker was not able to replicate his dramatic match-winning goalscoring contribution from last time out.
This time Espanyol did win again, beating Alaves 3-2 at home on Saturday, but Veliz was taken off in the 57th minute with his side 2-1 up at that point.
What was particularly strange about the young Argentine’s performance was that he touched the ball just eight times in almost an hour, playing only one pass and having a single shot while losing the ball three times. He will be hoping to get more involved when Espanyol travel to Real Madrid this Saturday in La Liga.
Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)
Ashley Phillips was an unused substitute for Stoke in their 1-0 defeat at Oxford United in the Championship, having played in the previous two games for the Potters before the international break.
The 19-year-old will be hoping to play a part in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday evening when Stoke welcome Fleetwood Town. Phillips will have a new manager soon after Steven Schumacher was sacked, with Norwich coach Narcis Pelach in talks to take over.
Dane Scarlett (Oxford United)
In that same match on Saturday, Dane Scarlett’s lack of minutes continued as he made it three games in a row in the Championship spent watching on unused on the bench for Oxford United as they made it back-to-back wins at home.
Oxford are out of the Carabao Cup so their next match comes on Saturday with a trip to Bristol City in the league.
Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient)
Jamie Donley had to experience unused bench life as well, having started all three of Leyton Orient’s previous matches in League One. The 19-year-old had to watch on as Orient won 1-0 at Reading with boss Richie Wellens going with his more experienced players and it paid off.
Josh Keeley returned from international duty with Republic of Ireland’s U21s late in the week and missed out on making the squad with teams in the Football League only able to name five loan players in their matchday squad.
Both he and Donley will be hoping to play a part against Premier League opposition on Tuesday evening as Orient make the trip across London to play Thomas Frank’s Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Matthew Craig (Barnsley)
Matthew Craig got an hour under his belt for Barnsley but tasted defeat in a 3-0 defeat at Stevenage in League One and was taken off shortly after the hosts’ second goal.
The 21-year-old will be hoping to face Manchester United in a big match on Tuesday evening at Old Trafford as Barnsley take on Erik ten Hag’s side in the Carabao Cup third round.
George Abbott made it back-to-back 90 minute displays and victories in League Two as Notts County ran out 4-2 winners in a goal-laden game at Bromley.
The versatile 19-year-old Spurs U21s skipper has made a big impression at his new club and the fans and in a busy performance in a defensive midfield role he racked up three tackles and two clearances, embarked on one dribble and touched the ball 52 times during the encounter.
Carey Bloedorn (Aveley)
Nineteen-year-old Tottenham goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn continues to get game time on loan at National League South side Aveley.
The teenage made his FA Cup debut in the 2-1 defeat at home to Southern Premier Central side Royston Town in the second qualifying round on Saturday.
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