Troy Parrott has impressed for club and country in recent times after his mixed start to his footballing career. The 20-year-old is currently playing for League One side MK Dons, who currently sit third and just three points off first-placed Wigan.
Parrott made the move to Spurs in 2017 and has made four appearances for the first team. However, the last three seasons he has spent elsewhere, on loan to Millwall, Ipswich Town and now MK Dons.
This season the forward has made 44 appearances across League One, the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy competition. In those features, Parrott has scored nine goals and produced seven assists, receiving praise along the way.
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In an interview with The Athletic, the 20-year-old spoke about his career so far. Parrott speaks about the maturity he has learnt, especially with the set-backs he has had in recent years.
"Confidence is such a massive thing, especially as a striker. What I’ve learned this season is when you’re not scoring and the confidence isn’t there, it’s about having the work rate to keep being the best you can be," the striker said.
Parrott has also been impressing whilst playing for Ireland, scoring a 97th minute winner for his country against Lithuania in the recent international break. The 20-year-old's development for both club and country is great to see and he has spoken about a part of his game which he says has always been there, but is now becoming more prominent.
"I like to drop deep and get involved in the game. There’s a balance though of trying to keep the centre-backs pinned back so our No.10s can get on the ball," Parrott explained.
"There’s also an element of where I drop deep then the boys playing No.10 have to get in behind and that’s a good connection I have with them." One player who has mastered this aspect of the game is Harry Kane.
Previously the England captain would be the main man in front of goal, and although he is still getting on the score sheet for Tottenham, he is now finding himself creating more. This has improved the partnership he has with Son Heung-min and he has become an even more complete player than he already was.
Parrott didn't fail to mention Kane in his interview and was full of praise for the striker. "Obviously I want to be my own player but Kane is so good in terms of his finishing, his passing - why wouldn’t I try and take little bits from there?
"But it’s not only taking bits from Kane because he plays for Tottenham. It’s taking things wherever you can that will make you better. It’s not annoying in any way [the comparisons], it’s just how it is.
"When you see him on TV you don’t get to see him going to the gym before training, you don’t get to see the way he trains every day. So these are the main things you get to see up close — even now, as good as he is at finishing, he’s still doing extras, still trying to get better," the 20-year-old added.
"Even when people think his finishing probably can’t really improve. Just not settling. That’s something everyone should take. There’s no downside to having that relentlessness in your game. I look at that and think to be at that level these are the things you need to do."
Parrott hasn't yet spoken to Antonio Conte, who has only given game time to the Tottenham youngsters on rare occasions. However the likes of Japhet Tanganga and Oliver Skipp have broken into the first team, after starting in the academy, meaning there is still hope for a youngster like the Irishman.
The striker concluded the interview by mentioning the 23-year-old and what he hopes for, from his future at Tottenham. "Japh and I went on our first pre-season tour together [in 2019] and he kicked on from there. My path’s gone a little bit differently, but I think the end goal for both of us is the same," Parrott admitted.
"Obviously it motivates me to keep going and keep doing the best I can do to get back there. I’ve had the dream of playing for Spurs since I was 14 and I first started going over there.
"I’ve always said that I want to play there, I want to play in that team. Nothing’s changed at this point. That’s still the goal."
Parrott is still young and has more developing to do in order for him to become a top player, which is why a return to Tottenham just yet could still be too premature. It may be best for the 20-year-old to spend some more time away, whether that's with MK Dons, who could be promoted, or with another team.
