Tottenham has made it official that teenage striker Dane Scarlett will be returning to the club after failing to make an impact at high-flying Championship side Ipswich Town. Scarlett had inked a new long-term deal with Spurs during the summer before being loaned out for first-team experience.
Despite the Championship season being past its midpoint, Scarlett has managed to notch up less than 150 minutes of play, having not scored a goal, provided an assist, or even started a game. The 19-year-old joined Portman Road almost a month into the EFL season after appearing for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup against Fulham in August.
While Ipswich is vigorously pursuing a second promotion in a row, Scarlett has struggled to make his mark in Kieran McKenna’s formidable side. His absence from the squad was evident in the recent 1-1 draw against table-toppers Leicester on Tuesday night.
Previously, Scarlett had spent last year at League 1 outfit Portsmouth, marking his introduction to men’s football. While he had an impactful time on the south coast, scoring four times and making 34 league appearances for Pompey, he faced a drop in playing time, only featuring thrice after March.
McKenna had been effusive in his praise for Scarlett following their encounters last season but confirmed ongoing discussions about ending the loan deal. “There’s ongoing conversations with Tottenham at the moment,” he mentioned over the weekend. “It looks highly likely that he’ll be recalled at the start of January. Tottenham currently faces injury concerns and their primary forward is set to participate in the Asian Cup.”
Despite the disillusioning start to his senior career, Scarlett had the opportunity to make his England Under-21 debut earlier this year, a testament to the high regard in which he is held. As the January transfer window looms on the horizon, Scarlett will be seeking fresh opportunities.
With Son Heung-min slated to be absent for a substantial portion of the New Year’s initial six weeks due to his commitment to the Asia Cup, alongside midfielders Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations, the potential for Scarlett to step into a first-team role is significant. This development aligns with the broader recruitment strategy orchestrated by new sporting director Johan Lange in collaboration with Ange Postecoglou.
