The return of Dane Scarlett to Tottenham and its implications for Ange Postecoglou following his loan spell at Ipswich.
Dane Scarlett appears to be set for a return to Tottenham Hotspur in January following a less-than-ideal loan spell with Ipswich Town. Despite a promising pre-season with Spurs, where he featured in friendlies and the Carabao Cup under Ange Postecoglou, the decision was made in late August to send the 19-year-old striker out on loan for further development.
Scarlett signed a season-long deal with Ipswich after their promotion from League One, a move that seemed perfect as he elevated to a higher division following his previous loan stint at Portsmouth. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna had previously praised Scarlett during his time at Pompey, but unfortunately, the anticipated regular playing time with the Championship team did not materialize.
Due to Ipswich’s established starting lineup following their promotion, Scarlett found himself restricted to 12 appearances off the bench, with late introductions in matches. Additionally, his 45-minute cameo in Tottenham’s Carabao Cup defeat against Fulham worked against him at Ipswich, as he was cup-tied for their subsequent cup fixtures when he might have started.
Excluded from the Ipswich squad for a crucial clash against Leeds United, the manager addressed Scarlett’s absence in the post-match press conference, revealing ongoing talks with Tottenham. It seems likely that Scarlett’s tenure in Suffolk will be cut short, and he will make an early return to N17.
The Ipswich boss stated, “There’s conversations with Tottenham at the moment. It looks very likely that he’ll be recalled at the start of January,” citing Tottenham’s current injury concerns and their main forward’s commitment to the Asian Cup.
Football.london recently spoke to Ipswich Town reporter Alex Jones of the East Anglian Daily Times and the Ipswich Star for insights into Scarlett’s three months at Portman Road. Jones acknowledged Scarlett’s ability but expressed frustration among fans due to the limited playing time. While Scarlett has shown glimpses of quality and adaptation to the Championship, fans remain unconvinced, attributing it to his sparse opportunities in the team. Despite fans’ mixed sentiments, it is evident that Scarlett’s loan experience at Ipswich has been more challenging than anticipated.
