Troy Parrott F AZ Alkmaar b.2002

[elatedscum]

No need for polemics. I think Del is basically right.

In general, the better the side, the harder it is for a young player to get in. Take Liverpool, in the beginning Klopp played plenty of young players but most of them didn’t quite cut it (Jordon Ibe, Brad Smith, Dom Solanke, Kevin Stewart, Ovie Ejaria etc etc). In the end Gomez and Trent are the only ones to have remained (and it took a long term injury to Clyne to give them there chance) but the likes of Brewster and Jones and Elliott will still get an opportunity to show their abilities but for any young attacker, it’s tough competing against Salah, Mane and Firmino.

Re Mourinho. You could point to Davide Santon and Balotelli at Inter. No one came through at Chelsea which is obviously memorable but that was possibly systemic. But generally there are a few players here and there. Nonetheless, Kane, Son and Lucas is a pretty strong front three, not to mention the likes of Ali, Lamela and Eriksen who are also attacking players. Compare those guys to who Connolly had to bypass at Brighton, you begin to see what a challenge it is. Can’t see Troy playing more than the odd cup game here and there at least until one of them leaves or gets a bad injury. Someone like Kyle Walker Peters has a much more obvious path to the first team.

As far as the big managers of about 3 years ago went (Guardiola, Klopp, Pochetino, Mourinho, Wenger, Conte).

Wenger was probably the best in trusting young players, then Poch and Klopp, then Guardiola, finally Conte and Mourinho. Still, with the right bit of luck, who knows what could happen...

[jbyrne]

i know we cant wait for the next big Irish thing but he is only 17 after all. it will be two years at least before he is playing regularly for anyone imo..... and he will still only be 19 then!

[Olé Olé]

I think our issue is that Jose got our hopes up.

[DeLorean]

I think we should wait and see if Troy gets time in the Cup before writing off his chances under Mourinho.

Thing is, Mourinho doesn't majorly differentiate between the cups. Given Tottenham's trophy drought too, he'll view the FA Cup as a big opportunity to reinforce his reputation as a manager who delivers silverware. Parrott may get the nod if they draw extremely weak opposition, but I wouldn't be overly confident about his chances. I'd be happy if he can continue to make the match day squads and come off the bench here and there.

[tricky_colour]

As it was a competitive game maybe he wants to tie him to Tottenham? :)

[DCWA]

A bit more patience required here, as has been pointed out he is 17 years of age.

In and around the squad of the Champions League runners up getting the odd few minutes and training with the first team is a good place to be. I don’t get the clamber for a loan move (yet) and definitely don’t get the the calls for a move to Germany. The boy isn’t even an adult and would be moving to a new country new language new culture new food new methods and with nobody he knows around all with no immediate prospect of more first team football, that is a hell of a gamble considering his development to date and getting a run out for Spurs.

We should be happy enough with where Troy is at for now at least.

[Diggs246]

A bit more patience required here, as has been pointed out he is 17 years of age.

In and around the squad of the Champions League runners up getting the odd few minutes and training with the first team is a good place to be. I don’t get the clamber for a loan move (yet) and definitely don’t get the the calls for a move to Germany. The boy isn’t even an adult and would be moving to a new country new language new culture new food new methods and with nobody he knows around all with no immediate prospect of more first team football, that is a hell of a gamble considering his development to date and getting a run out for Spurs.


We should be happy enough with where Troy is at for now at least.

The Germany thing is lunacy and I guess the loan move to the championship is us ( me anyway) being selfish. re he will more than likely play and get goals giving him 3 months to play his way into the reckoning for Slovakia

[Razors left peg]

The Germany thing is lunacy and I guess the loan move to the championship is us ( me anyway) being selfish. re he will more than likely play and get goals giving him 3 months to play his way into the reckoning for Slovakia

Why is the Germany thing lunacy? Just because its not the usual route for Irish players? Going to Italy was the not the usual route and Robbie took it.

In most cases a kid at 17 would have loads of time and there would be no need to rush him, Idah for example I wouldnt be advocating for him to leave Norwich except maybe on loan. But with Parrott we are seeing a player who has already shown he has out grown underage football. If he is to be the generational player that he has the possibility to be then wasting 2 more years playing with the u23s will only hurt his development. Look at some of the top clubs on the continent this season, Barcelona have played Fati at the age of 16 and he has scored for them, Rodrygo at 18 did the same for Real Madrid during the week. Mbappe looks like the 2nd coming of Pele and is only 20 with a few years of first team football behind him already.

Im not saying that Parrott is Mbappe by any means but what is wrong with wanting him to progress as quickly as possible and at least see if he can become a World Class player. I'd much rather him go somewhere where his talent would be used rather than somewhere like Middlesboro on loan where he will just get kicked week to week.

Stephen Kenny said it himself in recent interview that we in Ireland are too slow to progress young players sometimes.

[Closed Account]

Personally I've no problem with him not getting an appearance, I don't think there's any rush. As a comparison when Harry Kane was Troys age, he had just finished his first loan move at Leyton Orient and was a couple of months shy of his first appearance for Spurs. Didn't work out too bad for him or England.

[tricky_colour]

As it was a competitive game maybe he wants to tie him to Tottenham? :)

Of course I say this in jest, but it is a good sign, an indication from the boss he sees a future for him at Spurs.

[tommy_c12000]

I still think he will be playing "regularly enough" with Spurs by the season's end. No need for loan just now. Worth bearing in mind, he has barely played adult football, only started 7 PL2 games last year, and only 1 this year, in addition to his senior league cup appearance and pre-season games. So training with first team for past few months, and introducing him slowly is the right formula. Even a few more PL2 games will do him no harm, don't think it's stagnation as he's played so few games at that level.

He is 18 on Feb 4, Pocc certainly won't be able to ignore him then. That aside, I am confident he will get a few appearances off the bench this side of the new year, and then things will move quickly, similarly to Connolly.

I still stand by this comment, just replace Pocc with Mourinho. I’m certainly more optimistic than when mourinho first got the job. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of months. Leaving spurs in a bigger risk in January at the age of 17 at this stage. Time will tell

[samhaydenjr]

Okay, so it looks like we'll have to be patient, but that Parrott will get some chances under Mourinho. Firstly, if Football Insider is to be believed, there will be no loan deal and a new, better contract, with Parrott seeking assurances of first-team involvement: https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-mourinho-closes-door-on-tottenham-player-exit/

Mourinho is also quoted as saying the following:

Parrott is a 17-year-old boy that played five minutes in the Premier League and we’ll give him more time. He needs more time to develop and so yes Harry is fundamental for us.
https://www.balls.ie/football/mourinho-insists-troy-parrott-needs-time-develop-422304

So I'm still hopeful that Parrott will get more game time in the Cup or late in games where the result is already decided and hopefully more than that, if he impresses.

[Diggs246]

Why is the Germany thing lunacy? Just because its not the usual route for Irish players? Going to Italy was the not the usual route and Robbie took it.

In most cases a kid at 17 would have loads of time and there would be no need to rush him, Idah for example I wouldnt be advocating for him to leave Norwich except maybe on loan. But with Parrott we are seeing a player who has already shown he has out grown underage football. If he is to be the generational player that he has the possibility to be then wasting 2 more years playing with the u23s will only hurt his development. Look at some of the top clubs on the continent this season, Barcelona have played Fati at the age of 16 and he has scored for them, Rodrygo at 18 did the same for Real Madrid during the week. Mbappe looks like the 2nd coming of Pele and is only 20 with a few years of first team football behind him already.

Im not saying that Parrott is Mbappe by any means but what is wrong with wanting him to progress as quickly as possible and at least see if he can become a World Class player. I'd much rather him go somewhere where his talent would be used rather than somewhere like Middlesboro on loan where he will just get kicked week to week.

Stephen Kenny said it himself in recent interview that we in Ireland are too slow to progress young players sometimes.

He would be swapping one bench for another. He wont walk the starting 11 of Dortmund or Bayern munich. Staying with spurs and go out on loan just like kane did. He turned out ok!

[tommy_c12000]

Deserved red card for Son, violent conduct. Assume 3 games and missing the festive season. Potential opportunity for Parrott for more bench spots. And not an injury in sight, hope wishing suspensions upon competing non-irish players is permissible and non-offensive!

[youngirish]

Deserved red card for Son, violent conduct. Assume 3 games and missing the festive season. Potential opportunity for Parrott for more bench spots. And not an injury in sight, hope wishing suspensions upon competing non-irish players is permissible and non-offensive!
Once you don't also state that you hope he gets hit by a bus before completing his ban.

[tommy_c12000]

Pulled left hamstring for Kane. A few weeks by the looks of it. Will this be Parrotts chance? Or will Mourinho find another striker in transfer window?

Likely attributable to Mourinho playing him into the ground over the festive season.

[tommy_c12000]

Mourinho on Parrott from today’s press conference:
“The next step for him is to sign a new contract at the club long-term and then it is for everyone to decide what is the best for his development. In this club, we care about our players. It is also to find the best pathway to develop.”

On the possibility of playing in FA cup on Sunday: “It’s possible, it’s possible.”

Not hugely promising. Appears to be trying to blackmail / pressure him into signing a new long term contract without any guarantee of playing time or definitive pathway. Not exactly the way to hold onto your best young talents. Parrott is in a tricky situation right now. Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks

[Diggs246]

Easy imo sign a long term contract with the strict written agreement he can go on loan?

Parrott goers to Charlton ( or the like) and if he is as good as I believe he is, he will do the business there and be a better player for club and country

[DeLorean]

Kane likely to miss "several weeks" with a torn hamstring - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50986271

[Razors left peg]

Mourinhos comments show that he doesnt want to use Parrott. I've said it before, if I was Parrott I wouldn't be signing that contract

[Fixer82]

Mourinhos comments show that he doesnt want to use Parrott. I've said it before, if I was Parrott I wouldn't be signing that contract

I’d echo those sentiments

[IsMiseSean]

Are people forgetting Parrott is only 17? Give the lad time!

[paul_oshea]

Mourinho must have seen stuff in training he didn't like and/or made him believe he's not ready as it contradicts his earlier remarks.

I hope he isn't one of those who goes out on loan and gets injured. He should shine at championship level if he's as good as the talk suggests.

[Razors left peg]

Lads Mourinho does trust young players and would much rather sign someone like Manzukic for short term options.

Doesnt matter that hes only 17, why should he waste time in youth football when hes already shown hes too good for it now. Look at Greenwood at United, at 17 he was ready for 1st team and is playing regularly now. I'm not saying Parrott should be 1st choice but he has the worst possible manager at this stage of his development

[DeLorean]

Just seems a bit radical advising him to reject a contract offer, of which we don't even know the terms... nor do we know the type of offers he would get away from Tottenham, in terms of club stature or potential game time. Mourinho might not even be there all that long, who knows, and I'm still not convinced many other managers would offer him much game time there right now anyway.

[Razors left peg]

Fair point that it would of course depend on what other options would be out there for him. If theres nothing good then of course he should stay but there is no harm in thinking outside of the box about what he should do

[Diggs246]

I bet he wont even be on the bench today for the cup and if so. The message is loud and clear to demand a loan move literally tomorrow morning

[Olé Olé]

Starts on the bench. But it is a strong bench: https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1213807609632804864?s=09

[tommy_c12000]

No Parrott today, but good result for him. 1-1 with replay at home. Agree at this stage, new contract with loan guarantee. But mourinho is against a 17 year old going on loan, bad situation. Ali woeful today, burnt out. Spurs missing playing with an actual striker.

[tommy_c12000]

By my reckoning, Dec 2 was the last time Troy played more than 5 minutes in a competitive game when he played in youth cup. I expect he will be playing for their under 23s tomorrow

[Razors left peg]

He wasnt involved with the u23s game today. Hes stuck in a weird position between reserves and first team and getting very little game time of any sort, that cant be good for him at his age.

A lot of reports today saying he is on verge of signing the new contract so I hope he is getting some guarantees about loan

[livehead1]

He wasnt involved with the u23s game today. Hes stuck in a weird position between reserves and first team and getting very little game time of any sort, that cant be good for him at his age.

A lot of reports today saying he is on verge of signing the new contract so I hope he is getting some guarantees about loan

He's training every day with top players, he'll be fine for a few weeks without playing regular u23 matches.

[tommy_c12000]

Back playing with the under 18s.... no lineup yet that I can find but commentators have mentioned that he’s playing so taking their word for it. FA youth cup vs the mighty Wigan under 18s. Kick off in 20 minutes. Commentary here:

http://livesportsfm.co.uk/player.aspx

[Olé Olé]

If he scores 2 or more goals I will be disappointed. Has he not outgrown this?

[tommy_c12000]

Actually he’s not playing, the team is officially announced. Commentators had misled me. Although apparently he had been expected to play. Cirkin the potential irish left back is playing

[geysir]

Just seems a bit radical advising him to reject a contract offer, of which we don't even know the terms... nor do we know the type of offers he would get away from Tottenham, in terms of club stature or potential game time. Mourinho might not even be there all that long, who knows, and I'm still not convinced many other managers would offer him much game time there right now anyway.
This is an internet discussion board, if we were to know everything before offering an opinion, then what's the point? :)

Aside from that, Troy like Robbie looks to be an exceptional 17 year old, still a 17 year old of course but fearless, confident, unfazed and ready to start at the top.
Mourinho will play him after he reduces the player to zero, rebuild him and take credit for the transformation.

[dr_peepee]

Ah. I ‘member the days when we had Stokes on this pedestal!!!

[Razors left peg]

Stokes was good.... but he was also a tool!

[kennedmc]

Stokes was good.... but he was also a tool!

Stokes looked good in youths. Until he started playing grown up ball. Then he was very mediocre. If you are an idiot (or tool :)) but a class player managers will fairly quickly forget your idiocy!

I wouldn't be comparing Parrott to Robbie Keane just yet - both in terms of playing style and ability. (I have only seen Parrott for U21s so other can judge better perhaps)

I was reading comments on Spurs website in December after their CL youth game where Troy scrored 2 penalties. His coach said he didn't have one of his better nights in general play which may suggest he is not quite at the level where some think he is - he should be sauntering through games like that.

Didn't Connolly get PL2 player of the season last year or something like that?

Fingers crossed Troy will be a very good player for us and sooner rather than later.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not sure about that. Stokes excelled on loan at Falkirk. He may have done better at various clubs like Celtic & Sunderland but was consistently seen as a tool and his idiocy wasn't overlooked!

[Colbert Report]

Harry Kane out for the rest of the season.

[tommy_c12000]

Agree there should be caution about Parrott. No crystal ball to know how he will develop but right now I would personally have him ahead of Robbie Keane talent-wise at the same age. I think Parrott truly has the potential to make it at a top side, but there’s obviously a lot of things that can go wrong as well at such a tender age. Time will tell. For me, Robbie was a very good player but not exceptional. His goal scoring record of 0.47 goals per game in international games is certainly impressive and will take some beating. But he wasn’t a top striker. He failed at Inter Milan and Liverpool, and played for a very average Spurs side at the time. Parrott has the talent to establish himself at a top side, something Robbie never succeeded in doing.

[Olé Olé]

He is due a book!

[geysir]

Obviously Troy is not Robbie but he has a similar attitude, strength and confidence which are mental attributes not football technical abilities.
Stokes is not relevant is he? Why can we not enjoy a talented player like Troy starting out as teenager with so much promise.
He may break a leg and then the other leg, he might turn into a stalker, beat up bouncers and end up playing in Mongolia (2nd division) but really there's a greater chance he might not end up going down that road.

[DeLorean]

Why can we not enjoy a talented player like Troy starting out as teenager with so much promise.

Mainly because Paul wants to lay the foundations for another 'I told ye so' in a couple of years.

[DCWA]

Nowhere to be seen today despite Spurs having no fit striker. Mourinho just not fancy him ? He has started another youth player (Tanganga) in defence.

[Olé Olé]

In fairness, Tanganga is almost a full 3 years older than Troy. It doesn't imply a trust in youth or a distrust in Troy to me.

[DCWA]

Yeah fair enough didn’t realise that age difference. Agreed that not featuring at home to Liverpool doesn’t really imply any lack of trust in Parrott.

[gastric]

Any news on Troy, just asking!

[ifk101]

Previous concerns posted here about Mourinho are justified. He's not an advocate of the Spurs philiosophy and there is a profile for the type of player Mourinho favours. Parrott is quintessentially a Spurs type of player. Not sure a happy medium can be found. But then again, not sure Mourinho will be a long lasting appointment for Spurs. His stock is down following the United years, Spurs brought him in to get results. Results are not forthcoming and Mourinho has effectively devalued the squad since his arrival - Mourinho has downgraded the Spurs squad to mid-table mediocre when at the season start they were seen as the squad closest to Liverpool and City in terms of quality.