Opinion: Predicting what will happen to Tottenham’s 11 loan players this summer
As the end of the season approaches, many fans now look to the summer transfer window and work out potential incomings and outgoings. But one thing that Tottenham must also deal with is the list of 11 players out on loan who are due to return to North London in a few weeks.
Let’s take a look at Spurs’ loan list, see how players are getting on, and find what situations they may find themselves in when their loan deals expire.
Matthew Craig
Matthew Craig was handed his Premier League debut by Ryan Mason in Tottenham’s 4-1 thumping of Leeds at Elland Road last May. The Scotsman spent the first half of this season with the U21s before he earned a loan to League 2 side Doncaster Rovers in January.
Since his move, Craig has enjoyed 16 appearances for the South Yorkshire outfit, most recently being subbed off in Doncaster’s comeback win against Barrow (transfermarkt). Just a few weeks ago, the 21-year-old hinted at the possibility of extending his stay at Doncaster past his loan expiry (The Yorkshire Post).
While there’s no denying Matthew Craig’s potential to become a brilliant football player, it is hard to see space for him in Postecoglou’s midfield. If not for anything but the sheer number of quality players in that area of the pitch. Another move away from the club is probably the most likely outcome for Craig, whether that be as a loan or permanent remains to be seen.
Alfie Devine
Making a few appearances during pre-season for Tottenham, Alfie Devine certainly caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou. It was Port Vale who initially signed the England U20 international on loan and he quickly stole the show. He would score two goals in 20 appearances for The Valiants before being recalled by Spurs in January (transfermrkt).
The club felt Devine was prepared for minutes at a higher level and sent him straight back out on loan to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle. While the 19-year-old struggled to adapt to his new club and has lacked minutes in more recent weeks, he has still had some promising outings in his time at Plymouth.
Alfie Devine undoubtedly has a future at Tottenham Hotspur, it is just a question as to how immediate that future is. It again boils down to Postecoglou’s midfield capacity and Devine must now also contend with the arrival of a certain Lucas Bergvall from Sweden. He is so young that another loan move next season for Devine won’t do any harm, but this summer is certainly a huge pre-season for him.
Josh Keeley
Headlines were made in early March when Guglielmo Vicario and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch were in attendance to see Barnet defeat Rochdale 2-0. They were there to see young Tottenham goalkeeper Josh Keeley, who has been on loan at the National League club since the start of the New Year.
Keeley has impressed in between the sticks for Barnet, only conceding 21 goals and keeping three clean sheets in 17 appearances for the non-league side (transfermrkt). The Ireland U21 international has only missed three games since joining the Bees and has become a firm fan favourite during his loan spell.
Keeley is certainly one for the future, with four players currently in the way between him and Spurs’ number one shirt. There is no doubt more loan spells at higher levels and minutes with the U21s in the pipeline for him, but this will not be the last we hear of Josh Keeley.
Tanguy Ndombele
Where do I even begin with Tanguy Ndombele? A man with more natural talent than most who will ever kick a ball but refuses to do anything with it. The Frenchman returned from a stagnant loan at Scudetto-winning Napoli last Summer to be sent straight back out, this time to Turkish outfit Galatasaray.
It has been highly publicised how disastrous Tottenham’s record club signing’s time in Turkey has been. The Frenchman has only managed two 90-minute appearances this season, the most recent of which came at the beginning of January (transfermrkt). Despite this, he still has managed to win another trophy while away, owing to Fernabache’s infamous walk-off during the early stages of the Turkish Super Cup final a few weeks ago.
I think it goes without saying that Tanguy Ndombele’s time at Tottenham is well and truly over. The one issue lies in the fact that he has had three separate loan spells in a row. Is there any realistic club out there that would be willing to sign Ndombele from Spurs on a permanent basis?
Troy Parrott
I think it’s fair to say that a lot of Spurs fans have a soft spot for Troy Parrott. Once coined as ‘The next Harry Kane’, many have always rooted for the Ireland international even when things haven’t always gone his way at Spurs.
Unlucky to be out injured during Ange’s first pre-season at Spurs, Parrott was shipped out on loan to lower Eredivisie side Excelsior Rotterdam. The 22-year-old has impressed in the majority of his time in the Netherlands, scoring eight and assisting four in 22 appearances as Excelsior battle relegation (transfermarkt).
Arguably the most intriguing case on this list, Parrott’s situation is a hard one to call. The fact that he has been around for a substantial amount of time already makes people forget that he is still only in his early twenties. Many hope to see Parrott given his chance this summer to show Postecoglou what he’s got, but it’s hard to see a place for him on the team, especially if Spurs sign a new striker. If not, reports suggest there are a few German clubs waiting to see if they can snatch his signature (Football Insider).
Ashley Phillips
Ashley Phillips joined Spurs as a highly-rated prospect from Blackburn Rovers last Summer. Although when it came to Spurs losing both of their first-choice centre-backs and Postecoglou not placing Phillips in the starting XI, it was clear the Aussie felt he wasn’t ready for regular first-team action just yet.
Phillips went to Plymouth in January alongside Alfie Divine to secure regular first-team minutes. It has been a solid half a season for the 18-year-old, making 16 league appearances for Argyle since he joined, although he has spent the last two games on the bench (transfermrkt).
Ashley Phillips will return to Spurs this summer and find himself in another situation to watch. He may end up being Spurs’ 4th in line for a centre-back spot if pre-season goes his way, but if Spurs do make a new signing in that position, another loan spell is surely on the horizon for Phillips.
Sergio Reguillon
Another player whose time at Tottenham has been up for a long time, Sergio Reguillon recently revealed he was surprised when he realised he wasn’t part of Postecoglou’s plans for the season. He was initially loaned out to Manchester United, but it didn’t really go to plan apart from a few lively performances.
He was eventually released by The Reds when their injury crisis on the left-hand side of defence cleared up slightly. The 27-year-old has found more fortune during his loan spell at Brentford. His best performance stemmed from two assists in a 3-3 draw against Aston Villa.
As mentioned previously, Reguillion’s future at Tottenham has been settled for a long time. One can hope that his slight resurgence in performances at Brentford has heightened interest from different clubs, maybe even from the West London club themselves.
Joe Rodon
Probably Tottenham’s most successful loan spell this season, Joe Rodon has excelled in the heart of Leeds United’s defence all year. Following a mediocre loan spell in Rennes for Rodon last season, Leeds signed the Welshman to strengthen their backline following their relegation.
Rodon has become a stand-out star for Leeds as they battle it out for promotion straight back to the Premier League. The 26-year-old has made 40 appearances this season and hasn’t missed a single minute of league action since the end of October (transfermarkt).
Joe Rodon’s future seems set in stone as the defender looks certain to leave Spurs permanently this summer. If they do manage promotion, you wouldn’t be surprised if Leeds are to keep Rodon, but you would imagine he won’t be short of suitors if they don’t.
Djed Spence
In what has turned out to be quite a peculiar transfer, Djed Spence has played more minutes for three separate clubs than he has for Spurs since joining in August 2023. A failure to impress over pre-season meant Spence followed Joe Rodon on loan to Leeds.
But unfortunately for the 23-year-old, his spell at the club didn’t share the same success as his Welsh teammate. Plagued with injury, his loan was cut short, and he was sent back to North London in January. It would be Serie A side Genoa who would pick Spence up for the rest of the season, in a move where he has found more fortune.
Spence has settled in well in Italy, making 11 appearances in the process (transfermrkt). Recently, the Genoa CEO spoke about Spence and hinted that while there is work to be done with him, there could be a chance they take him up on a permanent signing (La Gazzetta dello Sport). Whether it be in Italy or somewhere else, Spence most likely will not be at Spurs beyond this summer.
Japhet Tanganga
It has been a real rollercoaster season for Japhet Tanganga. Initially loaned out to Bundesliga side Augsburg, it looked like a good move to reinvigorate his career. However, owing to knee problems and a change in manager, the 25-year-old didn’t play a single minute for the German club.
Tanganga returned to Spurs in January and was sent straight to the Championship to finish the season at Millwall. This loan spell has been a stark contrast to the first half of the season. Tanganga has found form, making 16 Championship appearances and only missing one league game since joining The Lions (transfermarkt).
Japhet Tanganga is yet another player whose future probably lies outside of Tottenham Hotspur, but his flying form for Millwall will certainly help his case for any potential new clubs.
Alejo Veliz
There is no doubt Alejo Veliz had a relatively impressive start to the season. Tottenham signed the 20-year-old from Rosario Central last summer and was called upon numerous times by Postecoglou throughout the first half of the season. The Argentine even scored his first Premier League goal in a defeat to Brighton in December.
Veliz was sent to Sevilla on loan in January in order for the raw talent to get more minutes on the pitch. But unfortunately, this move hasn’t quite gone to plan for the youngster, who has only made three appearances for the La Liga outfit, all coming off the bench (transfermrkt).
Veliz was signed as a future prospect for Spurs, and while he is talented, there is more work to do for him until he is the finished product. Veliz will probably be given another loan move this summer for regular football, especially if Spurs succeed in signing a new striker.
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