A player who arrived at Tottenham in January is still waiting for his first-team debut, but he may be set to win his first international cap soon.
Roberto De Zerbi has chosen to rely on experience rather than youth in Tottenham’s relegation battle so far.
The Italian has put his trust in the likes of Joao Palhinha and Conor Gallagher in the middle of the park over the likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.
One young Spurs forward has trained with the first-team under De Zerbi, and he has now received an international call-up.
Tottenham star Mason Melia may be in line to win his first cap for Ireland
Spurs signed Mason Melia from St Patrick’s Athletic for £1.6m plus add-ons back in February of 2025, and he linked up with the Lilywhites during the recent January window after turning 18.
The teenager had an injury setback during his first couple of months at Spurs, but he has impressed for the U21s since his return.
Melia has scored three times in six matches in Premier League 2, and the forward has now been called up to the Republic of Ireland national squad.
It thus appears that the 18-year-old may get a taste of senior international football before he makes his bow for the North Londoners.
Ireland have been keeping an eye on Melia’s performances at Spurs
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed he will name the 18-year-old in his squad for the next two friendlies at home to Qatar on May 28 and away to Canada on June 5.
He revealed that Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford has been keeping a close eye on Melia’s performances over the last couple of months.
Football.London quote Hallgrimsson as saying: “Mason is in the next camp. I have to be honest, I haven’t seen him play for Tottenham’s U21s in their last games, but our U21s manager Jim Crawford has.
“Obviously, I saw him last season in Europe for St Pat’s, and he played really well there. He has the qualities that we are looking for in a sense of his running behind, he’s a hard-working kid, he will fight for every scrap. All of those things he has we saw last year in the League of Ireland and Europe.
“Hopefully he will get a run of club games and start pre-season well, hopefully at Tottenham and hopefully they will still be in the Premier League.”