While pre-season has only just started, the upcoming campaign looks as though it will be a big one for Troy Parrott.
Having initially struggled during his first 18 months or so in first team football, the striker experienced a dramatic upturn in form at the start of this year. He scored some stunning goals for MK Dons as they reached the League One play-offs, also putting in some strong showings for Ireland last month.
It seems highly likely that the Dubliner will be heading out on loan next season, with a number of clubs sure to be interested. However, Parrott will need to pick his next destination carefully to ensure that his development continues along the right path.
For now, he looks to be making a good impression at his parent club.
Troy Parrott impressing during Spurs pre-season
The 20-year old is currently in Asia with Spurs on their pre-season tour, where Antonio Conte will get a first glimpse at the player having arrived midway through last season. According to those present, he certainly would have been impressed with what he has seen so far.
As a manager who places a huge emphasis on the physical condition of his players, the Italian was always likely to put them through their paces during his first pre-season at the club.
That has been the case, with the squad apparently subjected to some gruelling long distance runs early in their time in South Korea. Journalist Alasdair Gold said a number of players, including star men Harry Kane and Heung Min Son, struggled with the task the end of what had already been a long training session.
Brutal training sessions under Conte. The players are being put through repeated full pitch runs after two hours of training. Players dropping out, feeling the heat and pace, before rejoining the group. Kane and Son among those feeling the pace, collapsing and then rejoining. pic.twitter.com/AOhSDvwAMS
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) July 11, 2022
However, it seems Troy Parrott was thriving under those conditions.
Both Gold and The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare mentioned that by the end of the session, the Irishman seemed to be the fittest of the bunch.
When Son went down, the whole crowd went silent. Kane went over and helped him back up before he rejoined the next run to cheers. Now Kane, Son, Tanganga, Bissouma have all dropped out of the last set of runs. Troy Parrott probably the fittest and was leading the final run.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) July 11, 2022
Troy Parrott leading the way in the final run! Or at least we think it's the final run...
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) July 11, 2022
That is quite the achievement for Parrott considering the talent on show, with some having previously questioned his work ethic.
The player said earlier this year that something had clicked with him at the end of 2021 and he is now determined to get the very best out of his career. Even during his recent holidays after a long season, he was still putting in the work to improve his fitness.
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He is sure to have impressed Conte, who requires that all his players maximise their fitness in order to get into his team.
In saying that, it still seems unlikely that he will be kept in North London this season considering the other attacking options within the squad, with Tottenham having recently spent £60million to sign Richarlison from Everton.
The Sunday World are reporting that Championship clubs Sunderland, QPR, and Preston North End are set to battle it out for the loan signing of Troy Parrott this summer.
Parrott will probably have to go elsewhere in search of first team football, something that is a must if he is to nail down his international place under Stephen Kenny moving forward. The Ireland boss has placed on emphasis of regular playing time when it comes to international selection, with a number of his players likely to move this summer as a result.
Regardless of where he plays his football next season, it is clear that his career is very much trending in the right direction.
SEE ALSO: Eddie Howe Shows 'Ruthless Side' With Irish Duo At Newcastle
