JOSE MOURINHO has labelled Tottenham teen sensation Troy Parrott: “The Privileged One.”
Republic of Ireland rookie Parrott, 18, will be on the bench for Spurs’ FA Cup fifth round clash at home to Norwich on Wednesday night.
Mourinho has called young star Parrott ‘The Privileged One’Credit: Rex Features
Parrott scored for the Under-23s against Wolves on MondayCredit: Getty
The young striker scored for the club’s Under-23s in their 3-2 win over Wolves last night.
Mourinho has resisted calls to start the young forward despite serious injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
The Tottenham boss said: “We are taking very good care of him and we cannot tell you everything or every detail.
“We are taking good care of a young player but also taking care of a young boy in society, life, private life and that is a process.
“He is 18 but one month ago he was 17 so he is not even close to being 19.
“So we are taking good care of him. Yesterday we decided it was good for him to play for the Under-23s but only for 45 minutes.
“The objective was to give him some match time but not 90 minutes because tomorrow he will be on the bench. It is a process.”
Mourinho was cheered sarcastically by fans when he waited until stoppage time to send on Parrott in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League at home by Wolves.
But the Special One insists he and Spurs are doing right by their Irish prospect.
He said: “We take care of the players. Of course it was not my work but for Harry Winks to arrive into the position of club captain in a Premier League match shows what can be done in this club.
“A kid who comes here at nine, ten years old, is taken care of, comes into the first team, plays in the first team and then arrives at a moment where he even wears the armband.
“Troy is in a process, a young kid with a lot, a lot, a lot to learn.”
Parrott won his only Republic of Ireland cap in their friendly against New Zealand in November.
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy wanted Tottenham to send the teenager out on loan in January – but the club declined as it would have affected his home-grown status.
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Mourinho added: “Parrott has qualities, he has potential but he is not the end product.
“He has a lot to learn and develop at every level but he is going to be on the bench tomorrow again.
“He already has two appearances in the Premier League which is something not very normal for an 18 year old kid so he is a privileged one.
“And at the moment he understands the privilege he has to be training as part of the first team every day with experienced coaches and players, with very good people in the academy he is a privileged one. Step by step.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
