Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is considering promoting young talent Alfie Dorrington to the first team if Eric Dier leaves the club in January.
According to reports from Football Transfers, Postecoglou has plans to bring Dorrington into the senior squad early next year.
Postecoglou has been enjoying a successful season so far, with Tottenham remaining unbeaten in the Premier League. While talk of winning the title may be premature, a strong January transfer window could bolster Spurs’ chances of a top-four finish.
The manager is still shaping his squad and there could be departures in January. Eric Dier, who has yet to start a Premier League game under Postecoglou this season, may decide to leave the club. Sporting, Monaco, Crystal Palace, and Celtic have all shown interest in signing Dier, with Football Transfers suggesting that Postecoglou has identified Dorrington as a potential replacement.
Although Dorrington is only 18 years old, he has been making a significant impression and training with the first team. Postecoglou has praised the young player for his standout performances during training sessions.
Rather than spending money on another center back in January, Postecoglou seems eager to promote Dorrington and rely on his talent. The teenager has shown both defensive ability and quality in playing out from the back, making him an exciting prospect.
However, it is important to note that relying solely on Dorrington and another young prospect, Ashley Phillips, may be a significant leap of faith. Tottenham currently lacks depth in defense, with limited competition for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven due to Dier’s role under Postecoglou.
Considering this, it would be wise for Spurs to explore deals for a homegrown defender. Targets such as Tosin Adarabioyo, Lloyd Kelly, and Trevoh Chalobah, who were of interest over the summer, could provide the necessary depth and allow Dorrington to ease into the first team gradually rather than being thrown in at the deep end in 2024.
