It is going to come as no shock that Jamie Donley, as a boyhood Tottenham fan, is aware of all about Harry Kane and the influence he made at Leyton Orient 14 years in the past.
Donley, 20, is modest sufficient to downplay hyperlinks between he and the England captain. And that's truthful sufficient. These are, in spite of everything, some mighty large footwear to fill if he’s to go on and emulate his hero by translating success at Brisbane Street right into a profitable profession with Spurs.
"If I had even half the profession that Harry's had I'd be completely delighted," Donley says with a smile. "I spoke to lots of people earlier than I made the choice to come back right here. They mentioned it's an important membership with nice folks and good followers.
"The very fact Kane began [at Orient] simply goes to point out that if he can go on to do what he's finished then anybody can."
It could be too quickly to inform what the long run holds for Donley, however it actually looks like Orient are basking within the presence of one other particular participant virtually a decade-and-a-half after Kane's staycation the East Finish. And whereas the latter's resume is jam-packed, he didn't get his palms on the EFL Younger Participant of the Month award throughout his education at Brisbane Street.
The Spurs legend will surely be happy with a number of the wondergoals that Donley has to his title, the newest being a textbook volley to stun Wrexham within the League One promotion race. He has already eclipsed Kane's Orient aim tally (5), which in itself is one thing.
"He's my idol. I appeared as much as him even earlier than I used to be wherever close to the primary workforce," Donley provides, recalling his time coaching alongside Kane earlier than the striker's transfer to Bayern Munich.
"He would at all times be the participant I'd wish to watch. He's a prime man who has spoken to me and helped me a couple of occasions. Simply little particulars that assist."
Donley's Younger Participant of the Month award is recognition for his superb type for the reason that flip of the 12 months, the place he has amassed six targets and 5 assists since notching his first senior aim in opposition to Barnsley again in late December.
A sterling present in opposition to the Premier League champions, Manchester Metropolis, within the FA Cup earlier this month was the icing on prime of the cake for Donley, who punctuated his efficiency with the second of genius that led to the O's aim from close to the midway line of their slender defeat.
His time within the East Finish hasn't all been plain-sailing, although. He was dropped earlier within the season as Orient struggled to search out their toes: an expertise that, whereas chastening on the time, has been price its weight in gold for the teen.
"At Spurs everyone seems to be there that can assist you," Donley says, recalling the more durable days of his mortgage. "I'm not saying that the employees at Orient usually are not, however the supervisor and the employees have gotten the workforce to focus about, not simply me.
"I spoke to the folks near me with Spurs and my household in troublesome moments and so they simply mentioned stick at it."
The turning level, in Donley's personal phrases, got here on a bitterly chilly afternoon up in Barnsley. Donley, a fleet-footed, technically sound ahead with a penchant for the spectacular, produced a textbook efficiency to encourage Orient to an announcement 4-0 win with a aim and two assists.
Reduction was the primary emotion that struck after Donley lastly opened his O's account with a sensible header from a set-piece. That quickly gave method to confidence because the aim contributions started to circulate.
"That constructed confidence for me and was in all probability the principle altering level, as a result of everybody was proud of me and you’re feeling like, 'Proper, you're a part of the workforce now'.
"You see it on the prime, prime stage with numerous gamers: they’ve a couple of dangerous performances and it could actually take quite a bit out of them. It's all about enjoying with confidence, which is possibly what I didn't have it within the first a part of the season."
Orient, like Donley, haven’t appeared again since hitting their stride. They’ve misplaced simply as soon as within the league for the reason that begin of December to thunder into the League One play-off locations, scoring a glut of targets within the course of.
Richie Wellens' aspect look well-placed to take care of their top-six push throughout the ultimate third of the season. And Donley says their exceptional run of type has been an expertise which even rivals his standout second in opposition to Pep Guardiola's all-conquering aspect earlier this month, the place he made headlines all around the globe.
"Clearly the Metropolis second might be the standout one due to the event and all the pieces. However simply the way in which the final couple of months have been [is his biggest positive to date]. The final couple of months have been superb full cease."
Promotion can be the fairytale ending to Donley's story with Orient, however it's clear there are nonetheless many chapters nonetheless to be written at Spurs.
Signed up on the age of eight after impressing in opposition to Tottenham along with his Sunday workforce, Colchester Villa, Donley counts Robbie Keane as one other of his boyhood idols.
"Me and my dad used to like watching [Keane]. I used to be extra of a striker again once I was youthful, though I've moved a bit deeper now.
"I even used to like watching [James] Maddison when he was at Leicester. He was one in all my favorite gamers, so when he signed for Spurs, I used to be clearly delighted.
"Jermaine [Defoe] was with us final 12 months. He coached us a couple of occasions. Simply getting information from him and stuff. You see ex-legends, you converse to them and also you be taught off their expertise."
It speaks volumes about Donley's character, and the affiliation he now has with Orient, that he's reluctant to look an excessive amount of past the present season. However a daily berth in Ange Postecoglou's workforce is the last word aim.
"I've mentioned earlier than in an interview that Ange spoke to me and mentioned once I come again in pre-season simply be sure you're a greater participant once you come again in pre-season. I feel I've positively finished that; I've discovered off the skilled gamers which can be right here at Orient.
"I feel time will inform, however clearly my focus is on the remainder of this season. Then I'll have my time without work and we'll see."
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