‘He gives me help’ – Spurs U21 starlet admits Son has taken him under his wing
Jamie Donley has been speaking about his experience of training with the first-team superstars at Tottenham, admitting that he has learned a lot from watching...
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Jamie Donley has been speaking about his experience of training with the first-team superstars at Tottenham, admitting that he has learned a lot from watching the likes of James Maddison and Son Heung-min operate.
Donley has come on as a substitute on four occasions so far this season, with Ange Postecoglou showing plenty of faith in the youngster.
The 19-year-old now regularly trains with the first-team set-up, which can be a daunting prospect for someone so young, but the teenager admitted that the players at the club have made things easy for him, remarking that he learns a lot from watching the likes of Maddison operate.
Donley told Football.London: “I probably look more at someone like James Maddison because I’ve been playing in midfield a lot of this season.
“All of them though to be honest I look to because they’re top, top players, they’re all internationals so that’s what I want to be. I look up to all of them because they’re great players and great professionals.
“Quite a few of them have taken me under their wing and given me advice, most of the English ones do. They’re all good lads and they encourage me.”
Heung-min Son has put an arm around Jamie Donley
Donley also explained that Son has made him feel at home in the senior set-up and that the South Korean gives him plenty of pointers on how to improve in front of goal.
When asked about his relationship with the Tottenham captain, the youngster responded: “He’s unbelievable. He’s great to have around the building. He’s always smiling. He helps me a lot. He gives me help in training and tells me what he thinks. He’s very good to me.
“If I’m in front of goal he’s making sure I’m more composed and staying calm and telling me to take an extra touch if the situation requires it. It’s simple things, not big things, but they’re the kind of things that can definitely help me.”
Donley made it clear that he is determined to keep improving and show Postecoglou and his coaching staff that he is ready to play a more prominent role.
He added: “I’ve got to just keep going and if I’m back playing for the U21s because I’m not on the bench [for the first team] – and I want to play – I’ve got to be the best player every game and then hopefully he notices that or the coaching staff notice that. All I can do is do my best and be ready if they give me my chance.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While there is always a lot of nerves for youngsters who make the step up to the senior set-up, Donley and the other young players in the Tottenham academy could not ask for an easier environment to walk into.
There is relaxed atmosphere in the changing room and a real family feel at the club, with empathetic leaders like Son, who are always ready to share their experiences.
The post ‘He gives me help’ – Spurs U21 starlet admits Son has taken him under his wing appeared first on The Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.