The master of mind games is at it again
Spurs manager Jose Mourinho has banished Alfie Devine from the first-team squad, just days after the teenager became the youngest ever goalscorer in Tottenham’s history.
Devine was born two months after Mourinho made his infamous ‘Special One’ speech when taking over at Chelsea. The youngster grew up in Warrington and played for the Liverpool and Wigan Athletic academies before moving south to join Spurs.
The 16-year-old bagged his first ever goal for Tottenham in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Marine.
Devine cut in from the left before drilling a crisp, right-footed effort past the outstretched Marine goalkeeper. Not only did this make him Tottenham’s youngest ever goalscorer, he also became the youngest player to have played for them in a senior match.
The goal put Devine’s name in the spotlight – but his manager wants to ensure he remains grounded.
Mourinho has sent the 16-year-old “back to where he belongs”, so the youngster doesn’t get ahead of himself. Devine is believed to be training with Tottenham’s Under-18 squad as normal this week.
#thfc Mourinho says he has sent Alfie Devine "back to where he belongs" in the U-18s for two to three weeks to bring him back down to earth after Marine goal.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) January 12, 2021
Fellow Spurs youngsters Jack Clarke, Harvey White and Japhet Tanganga also made appearances in the FA Cup triumph.
The Portuguese had a similarly savage response when asked about Mesut Ozil in a press conference earlier today. In a recent social media Q&A session, Ozil said he would rather retire than sign for Spurs.
When Mourinho had this put to him, he simply replied: “Who told him that Tottenham was interested in him?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ86XgsDG1O/
Ozil flourished under Mourinho’s management at Real Madrid, but he has been cast to the wayside at The Emirates. He is rumoured to be closing in on a move to Turkish giants Fenerbache.
As for Alfie Devine, the 16-year-old might have to wait a little while longer before he is a first-team regular at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
