Alfie Devine reacts to Leeds player’s Instagram after Tottenham win

Mon 22 November 2021 10:15, UK

Alfie Devine joined a raft of players from various clubs in lauding Joe Gelhardt on Instagram after the Leeds United starlet made his full Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Rumours were swirling around on the morning of the game that the Whites would be without Raphinha and Rodrigo for the game.

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

And unfortunately for Leeds, that proved to be the case. Both players were nowhere to be seen as the Whites arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That prompted Marcelo Bielsa to hand Gelhardt a first league start. He has been the under-23s’ most exciting player since arriving at Leeds in 2020.

And he has provided a glimpse of his potential for the first-team, coming on and changing the game in the draw with Wolves last month.

It proved to be a difficult day for Leeds with Spurs coming from behind to win 2-1. But Gelhardt still managed to make his mark on the game.

He certainly did not lack confidence on the ball. He tested Hugo Lloris on a couple of occasions. And he was rarely bullied by the Tottenham defenders. There was also one outrageous back heel during the first-half.

He did appear to tire as the game went on and Leeds struggled to get support towards him. But there is no doubt that that game marked the first start of many for Gelhardt at the highest level.

He took to Instagram following the game to comment on the result and that first league start.

Liam McCarron labelled him a player in response, while there was also praise from former Wigan teammate Callum Lang.

But there was also a brief message from Spurs starlet Devine, who also spent several years in the Latics’ academy…