Tottenham have been linked with a number of forwards over the past few weeks including Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic (The Mirror).
Recruiting a striker is reportedly one of Jose Mourinho’s priorities when the transfer market reopens (Football Insider).
However, Football.London’s Alasdair Gold believes Spurs could look towards the exciting attacking talent in the club’s academy to make the step up the first-team rather than dipping into the transfer market.
Unsurprisingly, one of the two attacking players he identified as ready to make the step up, was striker Troy Parrott.
Despite Mourinho’s assertions that the Irishman may not be ready for first-team action just yet (Standard), Gold believes the 18-year-old has the potential to be the next Harry Kane.
He said: “Parrott has scored 11 goals in 11 games for Spurs’ U23s, U19s and U18s this season but even without a fit senior striker, Mourinho has maintained that he’s just not ready yet.
“The Portuguese claims there’s plenty more work for the young Irishman to do and that his time will come. Tottenham fans are hoping its sooner rather than later.
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“Often labelled ‘the next Robbie Keane, Parrott is more of a number nine and we’re going to burden him with the weight of the next Harry Kane tag instead.”
What might surprise Spurs fans is that Gold also picked young attacker J’Neil Bennett as another one to watch out for and suggested that the teenager has a similar skillset to Son Heung-min.
Speaking about the pacey youngster, Gold said: “Bennett, who turned 18 in December, missed the start of the season through injury but has made up for lost time by scoring in six of his 10 U18 Premier League matches since.
“He’s also netted in the UEFA Youth League and has laid on four assists in all competitions. The speedy England U18 international is a versatile attacker, able to play on either wing or up front if required.
“Bennett made history last season as the first ever goalscorer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, curling a wonderful, fitting shot into the net as the U18s beat Southampton in the first test event at the stadium, in front of almost 30,000 fans.
“With his driving pace, trickery and ability to cut in from the left and score spectacular goals, we’re going for the next Son Heung-min if Bennett fulfils his potential.”
Gold also raved about striker Kion Etete’s physical attributes and insisted that he could be a great target man and help fill the void left by Fernando Llorente’s departure last summer.
Spurs Web Opinion
While there is no doubt that we have some great talents coming through, I don’t expect either Etete or Bennet to breakthrough anytime soon. I expect Parrott to be loaned out next season as Mourinho will want to bring in another striker. Of all the talents in our academy at present, I am currently most excited by Dennis Cirkin and Harvey White.
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