Tottenham Hotspur gave the midfielder a new three-year contract on Friday, but what’s in store for Carroll this season?
Tottenham’s Tom Carroll celebrates after scoring
Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to hand Tom Carroll a new contract on Friday was a surprise to many, but is perhaps a final chance for the 24-year-old to make a case for his future being at White Hart Lane.
The midfielder has long been an outstanding prospect in North London, and it is strange to think that despite his age, there is still a belief that he is yet to really find his place in the Spurs squad or begin to refine his game to the position he will eventually adopt.
Last season was by far Carroll’s most rewarding as a Spurs player in terms of appearances, as he played in 27 games across all competitions (17 in the Premier League), scoring three goals – his first for the club.
“It went really well for me, especially around Christmas and New Year,” he told the Spurs site after signing his contract. “I’m happy to be rewarded with this new deal and I’ve got to do it all over again now and impress the manager.
Erik Lamela celebrates scoring for Tottenham with Tom Carroll and Kieran Trippier
“We’ve a top squad here full of international players, so it’s hard but you have to keep your head down, keep working hard every day and see where it takes you.
“I know if I get a chance I have to take it.”
That his football came for a club that was challenging for the title and ended up finishing in third spot was an indication of why Carroll should be happy, to some extent, with the way the season went, and there was even some talk that he may join the huge number of Spurs players in the England squad midway through the campaign.
Even more telling is that a number of other promising players, from the academy and individuals who have been signed, have departed Mauricio Pochettino’s side – suggesting Carroll is both eager to have no regrets about his time with the Lilywhites and also has some kind of place in the Argentine’s thoughts.
Ryan Mason in action with Hull’s David Meyler
Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb, Alex Pritchard, Lewis Holtby and Jake Livermore are just some who have left over the last couple of years while Carroll has remained.
However, the midfielder’s inability to to demonstrate his strength in a specific position has seen him gather minutes in a variety of roles, with much of his football coming in the pivot last season – arguably a position where his qualities can’t be put to use against big and powerful Premier League opponents.
At times last year it looked like he might be coming through, with a number of decent appearances from the bench, but three of his four league starts the club failed to win.
With Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko arriving this season, and fellow academy graduate Harry Winks also being handed a new contract, the former England Under-21 man will struggle for appearances as one of the central two – which may not be a bad thing.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks
Where Carroll might see opportunities is coming in for Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli in a more advanced midfield position, where his passing and close control can be put to use and there will be less harm to the team if he gets overpowered and dispossessed.
Carroll now looks a certainty to start against Gillingham next week, and it will be interesting to see where he plays and how much football he gets over the next couple of months or if he is preparing for a January loan, and almost certainly then, an eventual permanent exit.
Tottenham’s Tom Carroll acknowledges fans after the game
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