Tottenham Hotspur youngster Troy Parrott has long been tipped for a bright future at the club as he continues progressing through our youth levels, and the 16-year-old saw his stock rise once again today as our Under 19 side faced Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League competition.
Our young lads inflicted Barcelona’s first defeat or the competition and Parrott opened the scoring in the 17th minute as he made it 12 goals in 18 appearances as we rode to a 2-0 win.
Calls from some fans on social media to see him introduced to the first team by manager Mauricio Pochettino are a little premature, but they are understandable given his ongoing development and he has been brought into the first team fold for training and experience.
Parrott looks like an unbelievable prospect. A proper poacher in front of goal! #COYS
— Harry Hotspur (@HarryHotspurWHL) December 11, 2018
Troy Parrott just seems to be a different class. #COYS
— Wayne (@WizzyTheGamer) December 11, 2018
Parrott doing a proper job in our academy. Let's hope we can keep him happy and get him somehow in the first team in a few years! #COYS https://t.co/ehFTUYSF5e
— Freddie ⚖️ (@Freddie_LR) December 11, 2018
Got to see him on the bench sometime this season!
— Mike (@THFCMikey) December 11, 2018
Get this man in the first team please poch
— Niall McErlean (@Niall5000) December 11, 2018
Parrotts on fire
— ???? (@thfce) December 11, 2018
Troy parrott again!! Brilliant play from maghoma but some lovely movement and a tap in what a player
— Musa (@Musathfc) December 11, 2018
I think the above comments from fans speak for themselves really, but there was a very interesting offering from Football London journo Alasdair Gold.
The Parrott and Maghoma partnership is looking very promising. Showing glimpses of being a junior version of the Kane/Alli combo. Still plenty to be worked on with a couple of backheels going astray, but it's got plenty of promise. https://t.co/XiioSQS4fL
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) December 11, 2018
Whilst that obviously sounds like it has its own benefits about individual development, I think it also stands as a positive that our underage levels are on board with the rough style of the first team and that such partnerships are being encouraged.