Former Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Carr believes Troy Parrott is destined for an inevitable return to the Premier League, insisting the forward’s success across Europe is making him impossible for top English clubs to ignore.
Parrott has caught the eye abroad, backing up an impressive stint at AZ Alkmaar by making an immediate impact in La Liga with Real Betis. While many young players prefer to stay within the UK, Carr is adamant that Parrott’s willingness to test himself in different European leagues will ultimately pave the way back to the English top flight or a European powerhouse.
“I think because Troy Parrott is still young, what he’s done is very brave. I think a lot of people thought after Alkmaar he would go back to England, whether it was Premier League or whatever options were there,” Carr told BetVictor online casino.
‘Brave’ Parrot will provide his country with power like past legends
“But he’s brave to go again to another foreign league, and fair play to him, that’s not easy, it’s a new language as well and he’s hit the ground running there as well. He has an amazing manager, a very experienced manager who obviously sees a lot in him. And if he can develop abroad, who knows if he ends up coming back to the Premier League or going to a bigger club in Europe.
“They all end up back in the Premier League. Because ultimately you want to be at a top club in the Premier League, or he could be at a top club in Europe. The way managers will look at him now, he’s left himself open as someone who adjusts very well going to two different leagues.
“Hopefully he continues that with Betis for the whole season. As I said, he’s hit the ground running and hopefully he continues that. But it’s massive for Ireland, it’s a big benefit for Ireland that you’ve got your main player now playing in European s, potentially Champions League. Unreal.”
Carr also believes Parrott’s flourishing club form has unlocked a newfound swagger on the international stage, drawing comparisons with Irish icons Robbie Keane and Damien Duff following a spectacular strike against Austria.
“I think a lot of it has got to do with confidence for Troy Parrott. He’s done very well at AZ Alkmaar, then he’s gone to Betis and he’s hit the ground running there. He’s gone into the Irish squad and it seems like he feels like he’s the main man now, that he has to step up, as he has actually stepped up,” Carr explained.
“Especially his goal against Austria, probably one of the best goals Ireland have scored in a long time, it was a phenomenal goal. You can see he’s a lad that just has confidence and he thinks he can take that on. So it’s brilliant to see that, because I don’t think we’ve seen something like that for quite a while, like the Robbie Keanes of this world, the Duffers and all, who just changed games like that.
“He’s shown his quality now. He’s learning his trade, he’s still only a young lad, and he’s doing it for himself, which makes it a bit more special to be honest.”
While backing Brighton forward Evan Ferguson to bounce back from injury setbacks, Carr emphasized that Parrott has already established himself as a role model for the next generation of Irish talent looking to take an alternative pathway to the top.
“I don’t think we’ve had a player like Troy Parrott come along for quite a while. I know Evan Ferguson came on the scene as a top player, but he’s obviously had his problems and injuries. He’ll come through, he’s still a young lad as well, he’ll get playing again and put his injuries behind him,” Carr added.
“But all of a sudden you have younger players, even though Troy is still young, other players can look up to him. Since back in the days of Robbie Keane and the Duffers and all, we haven’t had that. That’s no disrespect, that was just a generation of players coming through at the right time, which was brilliant, playing at the top level in English football.
“But Troy is definitely someone where he was in England, out on loan, and all of a sudden he’s made a name for himself in European football and carried that through to international level, which is unbelievable.”
