Gold: Luton, Birmingham City interested in Donley loan
07/04/2024 02:55 PM
Tottenham's young midfielder won't be short of destination options this summer.
After making his club debut against Manchester City, making four total (short) first team appearances, and tallying a ton of minutes in the Premier League 2 last season, Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate and midfielder Jamie Donley is likely set for his first ever loan this coming campaign. Matty brought you news last week of interest from Championship promoters Oxford United, but it looks like he'll have several options to choose from for where he'll play his football next season.
According to Alasdair Gold in Football.London, Donley is now of interest to Luton Town, and to Birmingham City. Luton, of course, were relegated from the Premier League this past season and are now looking to rebuild back in the second division. Birmingham City would provide a different challenge — they were relegated to League One last year in what was described as a chaotic season, but just hired Ange Postecoglou's top assistant Chris Davies to be their head coach in June. League One would be a step down in potential competition, but Davies will be well acquainted with Donley and what he can do, and there are suggestions he will attempt to implement something akin to Pochettino's high octane tactics at City.
There's always a question of what kind of loan club best for young players. Some say that it's not a good idea to send a player on loan to a club (like Luton?) that's expected to be competitive in a league because managers will sometimes overlook on-loan talent for older, more experienced players if there's something to play for. Conversely, the same can be said for teams in a relegation battle.
I have no idea, but the fact that Donley's apparently well-thought of enough that he has two Championship and one comfortable League One club interested in taking him on bodes well for his development and for his chances of getting significant minutes next season. That said, loans are weird and they don't always work out. So let's see where Donley decides to go and send him there with our blessings (and a giant horseshoe for luck).
