Time to examine how Tottenham Hotspur’s collection of loanees have been getting on this term.
Mason Melia joined Lincoln from Tottenham on loan for the current campaign.
A fresh campaign offers those Tottenham players scattered across England and Europe a renewed opportunity to catch the eye.
Guglielmo Vicario has now swelled Tottenham’s loan contingent after his switch to Juventus was finalised, with the 29-year-old available to be permanently acquired for £8.5million should he prove his worth in Turin this term.
Elsewhere, Tottenham have already dispatched seven players elsewhere, with further departures anticipated in the coming weeks from both De Zerbi’s senior squad and the academy ranks.
Here is how that group performed during their opening competitive week and what has been said about them:
Mason Melia (Lincoln City)
The 18-year-old forward has generated considerable buzz after making his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland during the summer, having accumulated 98 senior appearances for St Patrick’s Athletic before Tottenham fended off rivals to secure his signature.
A back complaint and chest infection delayed his integration at Tottenham following his eventual arrival in January, though he featured in De Zerbi’s first team throughout pre-season and travelled to New Zealand and Australia.
Melia now finds himself at Lincoln, a club renowned for nurturing young talent, particularly those from Ireland.
The striker marked his first competitive appearance in English football by coming on for 11 minutes in the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory at Derby last week. He remained unused in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough in their Championship opener, where both goals came from Melia’s former Tottenham colleague Will Lankshear.
Sporting director Jez George remarked that Melia was a player the club had monitored in the League of Ireland under Stephen Kenny at Pats, with initial enquiries made to Tottenham in January. He noted that Lincoln saw off competition from up to 30 other clubs to secure the exceptional talent they believe can make significant waves in the Championship. Melia demonstrates maturity beyond his age both physically and mentally, possessing all the defensive qualities Lincoln prize alongside flashes of brilliance in attacking areas and a natural goalscoring instinct. The loan was pushed back because Melia had been selected for Tottenham’s Australian tour, playing 25 minutes against Sydney recently, so he arrives eager to contribute. George thanked Melia’s representatives and Tottenham’s staff for entrusting the club with this next phase of his progression.
Melia himself expressed delight at completing the move and highlighted how welcoming everyone had been. He noted the club’s ambition particularly impressed him, recalling that initial discussions were somewhat chaotic due to time zone complications while he was in Australia, but once everyone connected the presentation proved outstanding and played a major role in his decision, demonstrating the club’s vision and shared aspirations. This made him feel genuinely valued, which matters greatly as a professional. He left that meeting feeling highly motivated and aims to find the net, support the team in every possible way and help deliver a successful season.
Radu Dragusin (Fiorentina)
The Romanian will depart Tottenham permanently after this campaign but warrants monitoring as he remains technically on loan.
The 24-year-old linked up with Fiorentina during the summer in a temporary arrangement featuring a £21.4million mandatory purchase clause dependent on various conditions throughout the season.
He made an immediate impression during his competitive bow, which came at home against De Zerbi’s former club Benevento in the Coppa Italia on Friday evening.
Dragusin completed 87 minutes and his second-half header was converted by Luca Ranieri, giving the defender his first assist for his new club in the 4-1 triumph.
The centre-back’s Serie A return continues on Monday evening as Fiorentina visit Roma.
Yang Min-hyeok (Westerlo)
Yang Min-hyeok took to the field for Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League on Saturday evening during the 3-2 loss at Genk.
The 20-year-old South Korean wide attacker entered during the closing five minutes of normal time but could not help his new team claim a point despite having led 2-0 before collapsing to defeat.
Yang will be aiming to establish himself and accumulate significant minutes this term after his previous two temporary spells at Portsmouth and then Coventry resulted in considerable time watching from the sidelines, particularly under Frank Lampard’s Championship winners.
Yusuf Akhamrich (Leyton Orient)
Akhamrich is hoping to build on an impressive loan at Bristol Rovers by handling the step up to League One with Leyton Orient smoothly.
The 20-year-old winger already appears set for substantial game time with Orient. He kicked off with 70 minutes on the right flank during the 2-0 Carabao Cup home win versus Oxford United last week.
He then made his League One introduction, playing 73 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday, again on home soil, on Saturday.
Upon Akhamrich’s arrival, Orient manager Richie Wellens explained that the winger’s time at Bristol Rovers proved invaluable. He arrived when the team was struggling but played a pivotal role in transforming their fortunes. By season’s end, winning had become habitual, which represents an excellent mindset to carry forward. Wellens described him as an exceptionally gifted young player with hopes he receives opportunities to demonstrate that ability this campaign, also thanking Tottenham for entrusting another promising young prospect to the club.
Football director Scott Mitchell stated that Orient are thrilled Akhamrich views them as the ideal platform to make his mark and continue developing in senior football. He is an exciting young talent whose style stands out, bringing speed and the capacity to beat opponents, making him a consistent danger in the final third. The club eagerly anticipate helping him grow, develop and exhibit his qualities while wearing an Orient shirt. Mitchell also extended gratitude to Andy Scoulding and everyone at Tottenham for their cooperation and professionalism in finalising the deal.
Reiss Russell-Denny (Bristol Rovers)
Russell-Denny returned from Tottenham’s Australian tour to begin his initial steps in senior competitive football with Bristol Rovers.
The 20-year-old midfielder follows Akhamrich’s path at Rovers and his senior debut consisted of 35 minutes from the substitutes’ bench in the Carabao Cup first-round loss to Peterborough last week.
Then on Saturday, his League Two season commenced with 22 minutes as a half-time substitute as Rovers went down 3-2 at York City.
The young midfielder received a six out of ten in Bristol Live’s player ratings from that match, with the assessment noting that Russell-Denny found it difficult to influence proceedings during his brief appearance, though he still demonstrated some promising touches revealing glimpses of his technical ability.
Luca Gunter (Boreham Wood)
Tottenham’s 21-year-old goalkeeper Luca Gunter is undertaking his second temporary spell following his time at Wealdstone last term.
The young keeper recovered from a challenging moment during his debut against Tamworth at home last week, where he miscued a bouncing ball leading to one goal, to produce a brilliant stop in the dying stages of the 3-3 draw to secure his new team a point.
Gunter then featured in Saturday’s 3-1 success away at Halifax Town.
Dylan Thompson (Enfield Town)
Spurs’ 18-year-old custodian Dylan Thompson delivered some crucial stops to help Enfield secure a 3-2 win against Ramsgate in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
This represents the teenager’s first taste of senior competitive football and he will aim to absorb lessons throughout the campaign ahead.