Carroll spurred on to be a success
TONIGHT promises to be a strange experience for Tom Carroll. For the first time in his career the midfielder will take to a field alongside players wearing Tottenham shirts, but he will be playing for the opposition.
Carroll had been at White Hart Lane since the age of eight. Working his way up through the age grade and academy systems at the North London club to get his chance in the first team.
There were loan spells at Leyton Orient, Derby County, QPR and Swansea along the way, but the rules of those arrangements meant he never faced his parent club.
The hopes for what he could achieve at Tottenham were such that when Swansea initially sought a permanent deal for the England Under21s captain in 2015, they were told he was part of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans and would not be allowed to leave.
Swansea got their man just over 18 months later as Carroll found himself falling further away from the first-team set-up. The time to strike out on his own had come.
He has wasted little time making an impact, enjoying a superb second Swansea debut in the win over Liverpool at Anfield, and his bustling energy has been a welcome addition to a midfield that had appeared onepaced for much of the campaign.
The 24-year-old is relishing his first chance to be a regular Premier League starter, and there will be no question of divided loyalties at the Liberty, although he hopes his former team-mates can go on and pip Chelsea to the title.
“It will feel a bit strange for me, I was there from the age of eight. Even though I have had loan spells, including here, obviously you are not allowed to play against your parent club, but I am looking forward to it,” said Carroll.
“But I have loved it here, I am improving as a player every week. The manager and the staff have been brilliant, I have been happy with some of my performances. I realise there is a lot of improving to do but it has been good.
“Ideally for me we would take three points off them on Wednesday – because that is the most important thing for me – and then they go on and win the title.
“They are a good side with good players and they are expected to be up there and challenging for the title. Last year was a good year for them, they were close, and they are one of the teams who are good enough to be knocking on the door every year.
“But this is something I have always wanted to do. I am sure every player wants to play in the Premier League. I am enjoying it. Loans and permanent transfers are completely different. It is hard for me to explain how.
“But once you sign permanently, it is a big change as that is your new home and you want to get settled as quickly as possible and play as often as possible.
“The big step now is making sure we are still a Premier League club next season. Everything here, from the stadium to the training ground, is of Premier League standard. We have good enough players too, we should not be where we are but it has happened and we must make the most of what we have now.”
Swansea City are returning to America this summer as part of their pre-season preparations.
A three-game tour has been confirmed, taking in fixtures against MLS side Philadelphia Union, Richmond Kickers and North Carolina.
The trip will last 10 days and give Paul Clement an opportunity to put his players through their paces ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
It will be the fourth time Swansea have headed Stateside during the close season.