Carlton Palmer has warned Sheffield Wednesday against signing Tottenham’s Alfie Devine, insisting that the Blades need a strong holding midfielder instead.
There is a lot of excitement at Hotspur Way about Devine’s potential and we have seen glimpses of his quality during the last two pre-seasons.
The attacking midfielder had an outstanding spell on loan at Port Vale during the first half of last season, with Tottenham then deciding to allow the youngster to test himself in the Championship by sending him to Plymouth Argyle in January.
While he had a tricky start to his spell at Home Park Stadium, the 20-year-old never looked back after establishing himself in the club’s starting eleven, playing a crucial role in helping Argyle secure their Championship status.
It has emerged over recent days that both Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday have expressed interest in landing Devine on loan (The Star).
Reacting to Wednesday’s rumoured interest in the youngster, Palmer has told Football League World: “Devine went on loan to Port Vale last season and did really well and that prompted Plymouth to take him at Christmas, and he played an integral part towards the end of the season, playing 15 games, assisting two goals.
“Plymouth eventually stayed up, and it was interesting to see that Port Vale then got relegated after he didn’t go back there. His performances have given a lot of Championship clubs something to think about.
“One issue with Sheffield Wednesday is the midfield. I thought Plymouth are not going to be one of the strongest sides in the division, so I thought the result was always going to be a positive one for Wednesday.”
He added: “But what I think Wednesday need is a strong holding midfield player who’s going to sit in there and let the flair players have the space that they can go and play.
“I don’t think they’re going to get away with playing that kind of diamond shape with Josh Windass and Bannan in there against the better sides, they need to be a bit more solid. So, I don’t think that Alfie Devine is the answer for Wednesday.
“I think he’s a good young player, but I think they need a holding number six, that’s strong, who can sit in there and give the flair players the space to go and play.”
Spurs Web Opinion
There will not be any shortage of interest in Devine but Johan Lange’s priority would be to send him to a club where he would play regularly and a side which plays a possession-based, high-intensity brand of football.
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