Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott is a player who “can be anything he wants to be”, Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has said in quotes reported by the Irish Independent.
Given that Gary Rowett’s Millwall are more renowned for their pragmatism than productivity, it should be no surprise the teenage striker struggled to make an impact during a short-lived spell at The Den.
Parrott followed in the footsteps of a young Harry Kane when he joined Millwall on loan in the summer.
But after 11 goalless Championship appearances, the 19-year-old was on the move again a few months later.
Third-tier Ipswich may feel like a backwards step but, in theory, Parrott should find the going a little easier in a lesser league – particularly as he’s now part of a more attacking side than a Millwall team that has averaged less than a goal a game in 2020/21.
Parrott impressed during Ipswich’s 2-0 victory over Blackpool on Saturday, leading the line at Portman Road while catching the eye with his velveteen first touch.
And Lambert, the former Aston Villa and Norwich City boss, believes the Dublin-born forward could make a big impact in Anglia.
“The new guys gave everybody a lift. Troy Parrott can be anything he wants to be. For somebody who has just turned 19, if he keeps progressing he’s going to be some player,” Lambert says.
“The pass for Freddie Sears was brilliant. We saw it in training. We know what he can offer.”
Parrott, who shot to fame under Mauricio Pochettino during Tottenham’s 2019 pre-season tour, will hope a few stand-out displays in the Football League are enough to catch the eye of Jose Mourinho.
Then again, that feels like wishful thinking.
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