Harry Kane got what he wanted. After a fruitless, yet intense spell as Tottenham Hotspur's undisputed talisman, the England captain is reaping the rewards of his decision to leave in 2023.
The pursuit of Bundesliga titles – of which they now have two – is not the most important issue given the strength of Bayern Munich, although it is the way Kane has done it that is most impressive.
Having reached 51 goals this season in all competitions, the 32-year-old has 136 appearances in 139 games for the German giants, reaffirming his status as the game's best number nine right now.
Back in north London, meanwhile, the wait continues for a true successor to the school graduate, with Dominic Solanke and Dominic Solanke not cutting it as things stand.
The £22m star wants to join Spurs even if it is postponed
Saturday provided a much-improved performance from Roberto De Zerbi's men against Brighton and Hove Albion, although the forward line still struggled to click into gear.
Indeed, starting striker Solanke has only conceded three goals in the Premier League while suffering from injury, while Randal Kolo Muani has only scored once in the top flight following his loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain.
Reinforcements are needed, although much will depend on whether or not the Lilywhites can be dragged to safety, although the likes of James Trafford are believed to be willing to go either way.
Fellow up-and-comer Troy Parrott is believed to fit into that category, with London's Alasdair Gold reporting that the former Spurs star wants to rejoin his former club this summer, even if they drop down to the Championship.
As noted by Gold, the Republic of Ireland star was sold to AZ Alkmaar for just £6.7m in the summer of 2024, a deal that includes a 20% sell-on clause, with the 24-year-old now worth around €25m (£22m).
The report suggests that a host of top-flight clubs are eyeing him, namely Napoli, Real Betis, Bayer Leverkusen and Ajax, although Parrott himself appears open to settling unfinished business back at N17.
Why Parrott could be Kane's long-awaited successor
It's amazing to think that Ange Postecoglou was able to guide Spurs to fifth place so soon after Kane's exit, even taking the club's top goalscorer's direct spot unsigned until the following summer.
|
Top scorers 25/26 – Big 5 League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The player |
Games |
Goals |
|
Four times |
27 |
32 |
|
Haaland |
31 |
23 |
|
Mbappe |
26 |
23 |
|
Thiago |
33 |
21 |
|
Muriqi |
30 |
21 |
|
Undav |
25 |
18 |
|
Paul |
30 |
17 |
|
Lautaro |
26 |
16 |
|
Panichelli |
27 |
16 |
|
Bhudimi |
30 |
16 |
That patience didn't pay off, it has to be said, with the latter – Solanke – scoring just 12 league goals in two seasons now in north London.
Richarlison, on the other hand, has scored 25 league goals in his four seasons at the club, ensuring that the centre-forward should be at the forefront this summer.
Whether Parrott could be Kane's long-awaited successor, given his previous time at the club was successful in first-team appearances, having been released on a string of loan spells before his permanent departure two years ago.
It didn't quite work out the first time, although the Irishman has really flourished since then, scoring 50 goals in 92 games for AZ, after netting 17 of 32 for Excelsior in 2023/24.
Like Kane in his youth, his previous loan spells in England's EFL were unremarkable, scoring just 16 goals during his time at Millwall, MK Dons, Preston and Ipswich, although that lower league experience seems to have served him well during his current exploits.
This season, in particular, Parrott has been active in Dutch football, scoring or assisting 41 times in 45 games in all competitions, most recently netting in the final to secure the KNVB Cup medal for his team.
In international matches as well, the Dubliner has emerged as an improving team, scoring 11 goals in 35 games, including scoring five goals against Portugal and Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers.
He is a top-class player, a proven goalscorer for both club and country now, while also boasting a genuine creative flair, with Gold noting that he would fit in well with De Zerbi's media setup.
In the opinion of a leading Premier League commentator, he is “very similar to Harry Kane”, acknowledging the impact he could make if given consistent game time back in the N17.
As things stand, Parrott looks very similar to the one who ran away from Tottenham, although the £22m striker's willingness to return could open the door to a second act.
£35m star like “Poch-era Dele Alli” could fire Spurs to safety
Tottenham are still stuck in the relegation zone after dropping points late on against Brighton.
