Troy Parrott decision costs Tottenham alot but may reap big rewards in near future

Troy Parrott has been making waves in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, and Tottenham Hotspur might find themselves reaping benefits from his success in the near future.

The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international joined AZ last summer in a £6.7 million transfer, with Spurs smartly including a 20% sell-on clause in the deal. This strategic move could pay off handsomely, as Parrott’s impressive performances have caught the attention of many this season.

Since signing a five-year contract with AZ, Parrott has been in outstanding form, tallying 10 goals and one assist in 17 league appearances. Notably, he scored in his last three games before the winter break, positioning himself as one of the Eredivisie’s most prolific scorers.

Only Sem Steijn of Twente has managed to outscore him in the Dutch top flight this season. Across all competitions, Parrott boasts 14 goal involvements in 24 matches, including a goal in the Europa League and an appearance against his former club Tottenham Hotspur in October.

This season marks a significant step forward for Parrott, who seems to have fully acclimated to Dutch football. His success follows a commendable loan spell at Excelsior Rotterdam last season, where he netted 17 goals despite the club’s struggles and eventual relegation. In addition to his club achievements, Parrott has represented the Republic of Ireland at the senior level 26 times, scoring five goals for his country.

In a recent interview, Parrott credited his development to a crucial realization about his role on the pitch. He admitted that focusing on being in the box, rather than dropping deep to link play, has transformed his game. “The thing that helped me the most last season was realizing I needed to be in the box as a striker.

On some of my earlier loans, I tried to show my ability to come deep, but I often found myself too far from the goal,” he explained. “At Excelsior, I worked closely with the coach on positioning myself in the box, being ready when crosses come in. That was the biggest shift for me—understanding that as a striker, my job is to be in the box and score goals.”

Parrott’s development has not gone unnoticed. Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart spoke highly of him, stating, “I think he’s going to be a very big player. He has everything—a good footballing striker who needs to refine his killer instinct.

Sometimes his ability to play football too well leads him to wander, which costs energy and strength in critical moments. But I truly think he’s a gem.”

Parrott’s journey to this point began when he joined Tottenham from Irish side Belvedere in 2017 as a 15-year-old. Despite high expectations, he only managed four first-team appearances for Spurs and spent time on loan at Millwall, Ipswich, MK Dons, and Preston with varying degrees of success. His breakthrough came during his loan spell at Excelsior, which laid the foundation for his move to AZ.

Reflecting on his decision to leave Tottenham, Parrott revealed that it was a choice he made independently. “I was ready to leave last summer,” he shared in an interview with the Irish Independent.

“For years, it was all about Tottenham for me, but I didn’t see a clear path forward. I knew it was time to move on, and I felt AZ was the right place for me. So far, it’s proven to be the right decision. I’m settled, enjoying my football, and taking each game as it comes.”

While Parrott remains focused on his current journey, the possibility of a return to Tottenham cannot be ruled out. As a club-trained player, he would fit seamlessly into their squad registration requirements, and his growing reputation could make him an attractive option for Spurs in the future. If his career trajectory continues upward and the goals keep coming, Tottenham may look to bring him back to North London.

Even if a return does not materialize, Tottenham’s foresight in including a sell-on clause ensures they will benefit financially from Parrott’s success. Whether through his eventual transfer value or a possible comeback, Troy Parrott’s journey appears destined to contribute positively to Spurs.

For now, he remains focused on his role at AZ Alkmaar, continuing to prove that his decision to leave Tottenham was a pivotal step in unlocking his full potential.