Jamie Donley has notched up 22 goal contributions this season. (Image: Tottenham Hotspur)
A Tottenham Hotspur youngster is being dubbed the ‘next Harry Kane’ after a flurry of strong performances for their youth team. Jamie Donley has caught the eye for Spurs, with the 19-year-old’s playing style compared to ex-Tottenham ace and fellow academy product Kane.
There have been few better homegrown players in Premier League history than Kane, but if he lives up to his potential, Donley could push him close. The teenager has been compared to the current Bayern Munich ace, having shone for Tottenham’s under-21 side.
A versatile forward, Donley is capable of playing as a lone striker, but the Northern Irish-born star can also operate deeper. Deployed at centre forward and attacking midfield in the past, Donley is a constant threat in the final third whenever he’s on the pitch, having registered 22 goal contributions in 20 youth team matches this season.
His ability was evident in Tottenham’s recent Premier League 2 victory over Fulham, where Donley excelled playing behind striker Will Lankshear. While he might not have picked up a goal or an assist in the win, there was a particular passage of play that was eerily reminiscent of record Spurs goalscorer Kane. Donley picked the ball up at the halfway line, before scanning his shoulder and firing a cross-field ball in behind the Fulham defence for Lankshear to run onto.
The little glance over the shoulder, before the killer ball behind… yep, we’ve seen this move before at Tottenham… ????????????
— Football Confidential ?????? (@footballconfid1) April 26, 2024
Jamie Donley has played for Spurs' senior side. (Image: Getty)
As a result, social media was awash with comparisons between Donley and Kane, with @footballconfid1 posting on X: "What a talent Jamie Donley is for Spurs. You can already see a young Harry Kane in him, in the way he moves across the pitch, the way he passes, and the way he shoots. The Tottenham youngster just oozes class."
While @JacoCats added: "Donley takes penalties EXACTLY like Kane. Love to see how much he's learning from the best striker in the world. Superstar in the making."
His impressive showings have earned him several call-ups to the senior side, with Ange Postecoglou even having used him in the first team. Donley made his debut for the senior team earlier in the season, coming off the bench during the capital club’s 3-3 draw away to Manchester City.
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Since then, the England youth international has played under Postecoglou four times, with the Australian tactician having previously praised his impact. Speaking about Donley back in December, Postecoglou said: “He’s in the squad and working with us and all of these decisions are made with the information I have. The players have the chance to show me what they can do and make me make a decision.
“If I haven’t made that decision it’s because they haven’t made me make it yet but that’s not to say that won’t change next week or the one after. Jamie is developing and he’s working with the first team.”
However, Donley’s first-team minutes have been limited since the turn of the year, with his last appearance coming in January. Spurs return to action against rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
