Spurs prospect Parrott needs a loan move to aid development, insists McCarthy
Mick McCarthy has admitted Tottenham youngster Troy Parrott has “very little chance” of being in the Republic of Ireland squad against Slovakia after failing to secure a loan move in January.
Parrott was linked with a loan to Championship side Charlton Athletic but ended up staying at Spurs, with whom the 18-year-old signed a new contract last week.
Why didn’t Parrott leave Spurs on loan? Five things to know…
- Parrott is considered one of Tottenham‘s brightest youth prospects having made his Premier League debut against Burnley in December.
- He signed a new contract with Spurs last week but the Londoners opted against letting the striker leave on loan in January.
- Mourinho has said Parrott is “not ready at all” to fill in for Harry Kane while Tottenham‘s talisman is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
- Talks over a new contract reportedly took months, which may have been one of the reasons behind Spurs‘ decision not to loan Parrott out.
- Mourinho may have been willing to let the teenager leave had he signed a new deal before the transfer deadline.
Parrott made his debut for the Republic of Ireland senior team last November after a string of impressive performances for the Under-21s.
But his chances of playing a part at Euro 2020 – should Ireland qualify – have taken a hit after the striker failed to secure more regular club football for the remainder of the season.
Republic of Ireland manager McCarthy has all but ruled out Parrott’s inclusion in next month’s qualifier against Slovakia.
Asked if he is happy Parrott has signed a new contract with Spurs, McCarthy said: “Not really.
“I wish he’d gone to Charlton and played games on loan.
“It’s great for him financially, he’s got a new contract but I wish he was playing football somewhere. He couldn’t go out before because of his age and I understand that but if he’s not playing competitive football he has very little chance of being in the squad.”
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Does Parrott have a big future with Spurs?
Parrott has shown a lot of promise for Tottenham‘s youth sides, but Kane’s quality has meant there has been little room for other strikers at the club in recent years.
The England captain is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, yet Mourinho has opted to play Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura up front in recent weeks rather than turning to Parrott.
That’s not to say Parrott does not have a future in north London. Providing Kane stays put, Parrott could function as an able deputy as he matures over the next couple of years.
But the Irishman may have to leave Spurs – at least on loan – next summer if he is to play regularly for a club and his country in the 2020/21 campaign.
