A former Republic of Ireland international has made his prediction about what comes next for a Tottenham youngster he believes is gifted
Tottenham youngster Mason Melia could become an exciting story for the club if Roberto De Zerbi gives him a chance, believes former Republic of Ireland international Shane Long.
Melia joined Tottenham in January from St Patrick's but injury and illness prevented him from getting to work for the club's U21s until last month. Even though the 18-year-old striker is yet to play a senior game for the north London club, he is so highly thought of back home that he has already made his Irish debut as he came off the bench late on against Qatar on Thursday.
The youngster, who has trained at times with De Zerbi's first team in recent weeks, will be hoping for another international appearance in the early hours of Saturday morning with Ireland's friendly in Canada.
Long believes that Melia, who was used to playing senior football with St Pat's with 98 games under his belt despite his age, needs to either head out on loan next season to the Championship or be given his chance by De Zerbi.
"It depends on the manager. It could be an exciting story for Tottenham, having a player from the academy break into the first team, it could give the club a lift.
"I don't know if De Zerbi is known for bringing through younger players, he might just make a few signings. If that's the case, then a loan option is the best thing," Long told Boyle Sports.
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Spurs escaped relegation on the final day of the Premier League season with their victory against Everton although Long admits the drop might have been the best thing for Melia.
"Relegation would have been amazing for him because all the big players would have left. I was the same at Reading when I first came over. We went down one season, and then all the senior players left. That's when I kind of broke through, around 20 or 21, and it opened up that opportunity for me," he explained.
"It would have been the same for him. He's a goal scorer, and I'm sure being called up into the Ireland squad is brilliant for him, putting his name out there and letting people see what he's about. He's playing with the U21s at Tottenham as well. It's a big club.