Young Tottenham player now in running for award alongside Lamine Yamal

09/05/2024 02:15 AM

Tottenham Hotspur have a number of exciting players out on loan with a view to developing their talent and giving Ange Postecoglou food for thought next year.

One such player is Alejo Veliz, who signed for Spurs from Argentine outfit Rosario Central in 2023 and is currently out on loan at Spanish side Espanyol.

Veliz joined Tottenham for a reported £13million, showing how much potential Tottenham and other suitors saw in the 20-year-old.

The Argentine talent, who has made eight competitive appearances for Spurs, went out on loan at Sevilla in the second half of last season, but didn’t get much game time.

Things are different at Espanyol, where Veliz has started all four of his side’s La Liga games, registering one goal in the process.

The Tottenham loanee’s efforts have now been recognised with a nomination for an award in which Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is also in the running.

Tottenham gem Alejo Veliz in running for La Liga under-23 Player of the Month award

Veliz is up for La Liga’s Under-23 Player of the Month award, alongside Yamal, Real Valladolid’s Raul Moro, Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios and Getafe’s Christantus Uche.

Veliz scores emotional winner

Veliz’s first goal in La Liga, at the end of last month, was an emotional occasion for player and fans alike.

Espanyol were up against Real Vallecano at the Cornella-El Prat on Saturday 31 August and the scores were tied at 1-1 deep into injury time.

Veliz sprinted up the pitch as Espanyol went on the break and, after an initial Irvin Cardona shot was saved, Walid Cheddira got the ball across to the Spurs loanee.

He took a touch before curling a shot on the slide over a defender and into the net, which led to bedlam among the home supporters.

After the game, Veliz told reporters, as per football.london: “I had a year that honestly wasn't great for me in terms of football.

“I just want to thank my family, my girlfriend who always supported me, the coaching staff for giving me the chance to come here and prove myself, and my teammates.”