Tottenham could live to regret Oliver Irow decision, data shows he is a future star
Tottenham could live to regret loaning Oliver Irow out this season as he impresses in the EFL and they struggle to score goals.
Spurs orchestrated a record-breaking overhaul of Roberto De Zerbi's squad during the summer transfer window.
Over 50 players either joined or departed across their senior and youth sides, with talented winger Irow one of those as he left for Plymouth Argyle on loan.
The 20-year-old has found his feet in the third tier and looks set to be key to Argyle's promotion push this season.
His clinical edge is something that Spurs are severely lacking in their first team as it stands, with the decision to let him leave looking worse with each passing week.
Irow may well be in line for a bigger opportunity in North London come next summer, but the club may have been better served by keeping him around in De Zerbi's squad.
Oliver Irow has exploded into life on loan at Plymouth
Irow scored twice as Plymouth moved up to third in League One with a 4-2 win at Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.
His first strike came in the 36th minute to make it 1-1, as he swivelled in the box and fired home across the goalkeeper with his left foot.
Irow sealed his brace by making it 2-1 in the first half, pouncing on a loose cross at the back post to smash the ball into the top corner and leave the keeper with no chance once again.
He won five ground duels and three fouls across 77 minutes in their win at Bloomfield Road, and now has four goals in six appearances and 395 minutes played so far this season.
Spurs, meanwhile, have only scored two goals as a team in their five league games in this campaign, with several of their wingers struggling for form.
While the levels are obviously different, they may well have been better served saving their money on new signings and giving Irow a chance this season.
What has Tom Cleverley said about Irow's loan progress?
Plymouth are flying high in league One while Tottenham sit bottom of the Premier League heading into the international break.
Greens manager Cleverley could not hide his admiration for Irow after his Saturday showing, as he said: "He’s been brilliant for us; [he has given us] outstanding attacking output. He is really direct.
"He had a little bit of sickness yesterday, and [he] was a doubt that we were keeping under our hats, and thankfully he’s looked after himself over the last 24 hours and put in a performance like that.”