By Philip Dillion.
This could be a big chance for him.
Tottenham’s top-four hopes could have taken a massive blow with the news that Harry Kane is ruled out until March at the earliest after damaging ligaments in his ankle.
Heung Min Son could also potentially miss five Spurs’ games if South Korea reach the final of the Asian Cup.
The two players have played a part in 30 of Tottenham’s goals in the Premier League this season and Pochettino now only has one fit senior striker to select in Fernando Llorente.
The 33-year-old recently scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 victory against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup. But he has only played 36 minutes in the Premier League for the Spurs this season.
The lack of attacking options at Pochettino’s disposal could mean he has to promote from within.
Irish striker Troy Parrott has excelled for the Spurs youth teams this season and could get his chance in the first team due to Kane’s injury.
Parrot doesn’t turn 17 until February but has been a key member of Spurs’ U23 team, scoring goals against Barcelona and Inter Milan in the UEFA Youth League.
The goal against Barcelona showed the striker’s quality, peeling off the defender at the far post to slot in a cross from five yards to score at the Nou Camp.
It was a typical poacher’s finish and it showcased the attacking intelligence of the Dubliner.
He has continued scoring goals throughout the season, scoring a brace for the U18 side last weekend in a 4-1 victory against Brighton.
"How about that for a finish?!"
Troy Parrott found the very top corner with an absolute beauty for Spurs in the UEFA Youth League 🙌
A precision strike from the Irishman ☘️ pic.twitter.com/oGvUKva88p
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2018
Parrott trained with the Spurs squad before their game against Barcelona in the Champions League and was a member of the travelling squad for a Premier League fixture against Leicester in December.
He still might be a bit too young to nail down a starting place in Kane’s absence, but it would be fantastic to see Parrott given an opportunity to come off the bench in some games.
Troy Parrott scores stunning goal for Tottenham in Uefa Youth League game against Inter Milan
Kane could potentially miss up to 11 games, so Parrot may get a couple of chances to make an impact if he is promoted to the senior side.
It is clear that Pochettino rates the striker highly, he singled the striker out for praise last month – an extremely promising sign for Parrott.
“All the players we have in the squad, the younger ones like Oliver Skipp or Troy Parrot, who was involved for the first time, it’s because they’re involved during days, during weeks, during months, and it’s only to give the possibility to play. I don’t doubt and I am not worried about players who are injured or don’t perform in their best, because we have another one who can replace them.”
It is encouraging to hear a manager of a top-six Premier League side speak so highly of young Irish talent.
For the first time in some time, young Irish players appear to be breaking through to the first-teams of Premier League clubs. 18-year-old striker Michael Obafemi scored his first senior goal for Southampton against Huddersfield Town in December.
Hopefully we see Parrott named in the Tottenham squad for the Fulham game this weekend.
