Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

02:00 PM-06:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement

Sport

'I think Troy Parrott will go on loan' | Should the Irish striker leave Spurs?

Martin Lipton feels Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is likely to leave Spurs on lo...



Martin Lipton feels Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is likely to leave Spurs on loan at the beginning of the next Premier League season.

The 18-year-old Dubliner is currently out of action after getting his appendix removed. And The Sun's football writer Lipton told OTB AM he feels Parrott would have been in action of late for the north London outfit if he was available.

"I think if he'd been fit [Troy] Parrott would have been involved. But he's not fit, as we know, he's had the operation.

"They have a few [young players] but Spurs aren't particularly great at bringing players through from the youth team. To be honest if you get one a year you're doing well, for most clubs.

"Mourinho knows it's a stick he's beaten with about young players, and I think it's a valid one. He says otherwise, he will point to players from Varane onwards who he brought through, he's very good at working out his calculations.

"I think if Mourinho doesn't work, the next manager will be a very different type of manager. They were keen on Brendan Rodgers, I think their sights would be trained on Julian Nagelsmann, or even the American chap [Jesse] Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg.

"Young and progressive and bringing young players through, I think that's what they may well look to do. They brought in Mourinho for a very different purpose and that was to start winning things... therefore he'll be judged entirely on whether he does that."

19 November 2019; Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland in action against Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sweden during the UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Sweden at Tallaght Stadium in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Lipton added that the Portuguese boss is a fan of Parrott, and yet he may be forced away from the club to pick up valuable match minutes.

"If he's fit he probably will be involved, because he's got nine players now on the bench, so there's a chance he'll be on the bench if he's fit.

"Mourinho likes him, he just wasn't sure if he was physically strong enough to play up front. The issue will be whether he goes on loan next season to build up his fitness and match strength, which might be a better shout perhaps, and with less pressure on him.

"Or he stays around, but if they were to buy another striker he'd be third in the pecking order, does he want that? Those conversations have to take place.

"If I was having to put 50 pence of your money on it, I think Parrott will go on loan to play football next season. You'd do it until Christmas, a three-month loan."

Meanwhile, former Spurs and England star Chris Waddle told Football London he thinks Mourinho should give Parrott his opportunity when he is back fit.

"The biggest issue is up front, and I think Mourinho has two options; he either puts his faith in Troy Parrott and gives him an opportunity or he looks to bring in a more experienced striker who will know he is not going to play every week," he said.

"Parrott is out after having his appendix removed but there could still be a role for him to play.

"A hungry youngster would be perfect because Spurs are not going to be able to attract a 23-year-old who wants to be playing in the first team every week.

"Kane came through the youth system and seeing Parrott do the same would be ideal. The alternative is to sign someone like they had when Fernando Llorente was at the club. There must be a host of strikers who are coming towards the end of their careers who would love one last big move. One or the other has got to happen."

Gillette is inspiring people to be the best versions of themselves – through its partnerships with sports best role models such as Paul O’Connell, they aim to inspire more people to be the best versions of themselves and show they’re made of what matters.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Jose Mourinho Martin Lipton Premier League Spurs Tottenham Troy Parrott