Loan Watch: Alfie Devine

[WiganSpur]

I think it will be interesting to reassess that list of players when they're all, say, 22 or 23.

Like, is Harvey Elliot getting the occasional cup game for Liverpool or coming off the bench for Salah actually better for his long term development than 40+ full games of men's football at a lower level? And while Garnacho and Chukwuemeka are getting games now, that's largely due to injury and they'll be back to being bit-part players before long.

The youth players that actually ended up fully coming through at Chelsea like Mount, James, Tomori and co were the ones that went on lower league loans and got proper consistent game-time week-in, week-out. Unless a young player has a clear route to consistent first-team minutes, I'm not sure keeping them around to play the odd game here or there is actually any better than getting them proper minutes on loan.

Like, I think it's a case-by-case basis thing, and you need to judge each player based on their needs, attitude, position, path to minutes, etc when considering if a loan is the best option. And in Alfie's case I think a loan is definitely what he needs right now.

I think loans are generally good for players character as well tbh. Winks was often seen by fans as stuck in his comfort zone a bit. Wasn't Bentaleb another? There are some exceptions though. Rashford springs to mind.

 

[kmk]

Really bad loan imo, I fear he may get the shit kicked out of him and definitely won't be playing football that suits him

Ive seen the standard in league 1 and imo the league has gone backwards in he last 5 years. More bruisers than before as the good teams have gone up

He’s from a family of professional rugby league players. I am sure he will cope.

 

[nicdic]

Just bugs me that our top youth players don't get treated the same as those from Chelsea/City, they'd get Championship or PL loans, whereas ours get L1 if they're lucky

 

[kmk]

Just bugs me that our top youth players don't get treated the same as those from Chelsea/City, they'd get Championship or PL loans, whereas ours get L1 if they're lucky

City send a lot of their youth to Girona and Chelsea use Vitesse Arnhem.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Just bugs me that our top youth players don't get treated the same as those from Chelsea/City, they'd get Championship or PL loans, whereas ours get L1 if they're lucky

Among other things, I think most sides assume if the loanee does well we will take them back, whereas Chelsea/City would likely sell them the player. Less potential upside for the loan club.

 

[Krafty]

Our recent loans haven’t made headlines so maybe we as a club need to rebuild our reputation. Devine shining in league one might help with that, then in January he could get moved up.

 

[EQP]

Our recent loans haven’t made headlines so maybe we as a club need to rebuild our reputation. Devine shining in league one might help with that, then in January he could get moved up.

It's a season long loan and unless PV want rid of Alfie or we've added a recall clause based on injuries, he'll stay there all season.

 

[rabbikeane]

Shirt 11, on the bench at home to Carlisle
Came on after 76mins as they were leading 1-0.

 

[Marty]

They move up to 6th with that win even after losing 7-0 on opening day so that's why their GD is shocking.

Hope it's a good move for him, he should stand out at that level.

 

[rebrab]

Posted this in the youth thread but Alfie has the biggest bollocks around. 19 years old, second game in senior football and he takes and scores a 95th min penalty away from home for the winner?

 

[yido_number1]

Posted this in the youth thread but Alfie has the biggest bollocks around. 19 years old, second game in senior football and he takes and scores a 95th min penalty away from home for the winner?

He's got an elite mentality, just needs the time on the pitch to show it. Hoping he can have a break out season and get a look in next year for us.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Posted this in the youth thread but Alfie has the biggest bollocks around. 19 years old, second game in senior football and he takes and scores a 95th min penalty away from home for the winner?

Any idea what he’s been like in the last two games in general?

 

[taidgh]

Goal and an assist in 22 minutes. Vale fans are raving about him.

 

[Yiddo100]

Any idea what he’s been like in the last two games in general?

Judging by comments he started his first game and didn’t do much, came on as a sub today, assisted the 1st and scored the 2nd

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Judging by comments he started his first game and didn’t do much, came on as a sub today, assisted the 1st and scored the 2nd

That’s good to hear he stepped up when he got benched. I’m sure it will be an eye opening experience for him and he will take time to adapt.

 

[taidgh]

That’s good to hear he stepped up when he got benched. I’m sure it will be an eye opening experience for him and he will take time to adapt.

He didn't get benched exactly. He started the last match, but it was in the cup. He hasn't started in the league yet, but my Vale mate reckons it'll be very soon.

 

[$hoguN]

Hopefully he can go from strength to strength

 

[PCozzie]

A few snippets from the Port Vale forum.

• Double Devine intervention!!
• Devine looks class.
• Devine with a goal & assist has to get man of the match
• Alfie Devine is the real deal, a Premier League player who could be an international star with a world class career.
• What a ball in by Devine, fabulous header by the Yak and brill penalty from Devine, what a guy to stand up and take that.
• Hats off to Alfie Devine - he was absolutely magnificent. A goal and an assist in your second league appearance is superb.
• Credit to Devine. For a young lad having his first taste of proper men's football and giving the nod to take the penalty to win the game in the 99th minute. That takes some balls and shows the mentality of a talented young man.
• Fair play to Devine. When we got the pen all the players looked over to the bench to see who should take. I'm guessing Willo & Arblaster are on pens. When Alfie saw no-one was on it, he just went & grabbed the ball.
• Thought Devine was excellent when he came on. Real quality on the ball.

 

[taidgh]

 

[taidgh]

Assist:



Goal: