This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…
Alfie Whiteman could well play for Tottenham Hotspur against Bayern Munich.
The two sides clash in the Champions League in a dead rubber that is ultimately meaningless.
Spurs are confirmed to be finishing second behind group leaders Bayern and boss Jose Mourinho has already hinted at rotation.
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Star striker Harry Kane will not play, suggesting that Troy Parrott could be included, and there is a chance that Paulo Gazzaniga, who has been installed as the club’s No.1 in the absence of Hugo Lloris, will also be given a rest.
And that could open the door to Whiteman.
The 21-year-old has been on the bench on numerous occasions for the club, notably against Olympiacos earlier this season in the Champions League and against Leicester City, Bournemouth and Burnley in the Premier League.
An England youth international who has won caps at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level, Whiteman is currently playing for Spurs’ U23s.
He has made 27 appearances for the club at youth level and has kept just one clean sheet, conceding 58 times.
In the U18s, he played 10 times and conceded 15 goals, keeping three clean sheets, while he has conceded 11 in four appearances for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Nevertheless, reports have suggested that he is keen on a loan move away from the club in January and this could be a prime opportunity for him to earn that deal.
Keeping a clean sheet against Bayern would be a hell of an addition to his CV and, if Mourinho puts his faith in youth, he could well seize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has unlocked one man’s consistency at Spurs.
