Dilan Markanday was on the lips of all Tottenham fans 12 months ago after an incredible run of form in Premier League 2. Finishing the 2020/21 season with three goals and three assists from 20 appearances, the 21-year-old exploded into life the following campaign and excelled in front of goal, leading to plenty of talk about a promotion to the first team.
Making an instant mark in Premier League 2 with a hat-trick in a 4-2 win away at Leeds United six days after a strike against Chelsea, the goals continued to flow for the youngster. Nuno Espirito Santo simply couldn't ignore him and it resulted in Markanday making the matchday squad on four occasions, including in the dismal 3-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace.
Despite continuing to plunder the goals and set up his teammates, the only first-team pitch time he got came in the Europa Conference League as Spurs fell to a shock 1-0 loss at Vitesse that left Nuno's job hanging in the balance. It was no surprise to see a number of clubs linked to Markanday, who was out of contract at the end of the campaign, and he eventually departed midway through January as he signed on the dotted line for Blackburn Rovers.
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It was a decision many fans questioned given his incredible run of form in front of goal for the academy side, although it was one they could perhaps understand from the player's perspective with a greater chance of first-team football there for him at Ewood Park. Making his Rovers debut away at Hull City a day after joining for a fee of around £500,000 from Tottenham, the exciting youngster was dealt a cruel blow as he picked up a severe hamstring injury in his 20 minutes on the pitch that saw him ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Markanday did in fact return before the season came to a close, coming on for the remaining 24 minutes on the final day away at Birmingham City. Although Blackburn fans may have only seen him for a total of 44 minutes, manager Tony Mowbray gave them something to look forward to as he told them to "be excited" by his signing ahead of next season as he's "a real talent".
Looking like the 2022/23 campaign would be a real breakthrough one for Markanday, it has unfortunately not turned out as planned so far. Following a change of management with former Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson taking over the hotseat, minutes have just not been there for the ex-Spurs attacker in the league.
Only making the matchday squad four times in the league and failing to get on on each occasion, the Barnet-born ace has instead had to settle for pitch time in Premier League 2 and the Carabao Cup. He has been a big hit in the latter competition for Blackburn, though.
Operating on the right of a three behind the striker, Markanday opened his Rovers account with a well-taken finish in their 4-0 drubbing of Hartlepool United in the first round. Netting the winner away at Bradford City in the following round, the versatile attacker did start in round three at West Ham but was hooked on the hour mark.
Rovers' home cup tie against Nottingham Forest in round four does present Markanday with another chance to impress Tomasson, even though opportunities are not coming his way in the league. With January just around the corner, the Dane will be assessing his squad and there's a real possibility there will be some transfer movement as they look to mount a serious promotion push.
LancashireLive have Markanday down as one of five players who could potentially depart the former Premier League title winners at the turn of the year, whether that be on loan or permanently. An increase in minutes is something he could definitely do with and that may mean a second move in the space of 12 months as he looks to achieve his goal of becoming a first-team regular.
HIs Tottenham exit may not have gone to plan just yet but his Carabao Cup exploits highlight that there is plenty more to come from Markanday in the future.
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