Oliver Skipp has committed his long-term future to Tottenham Hotspur until 2024. The teenager has been at the club from a young age and is Tottenham to the core. Jose Mourinho is often criticised for not promoting youth but here is a sign that is about to change.
Oliver Skipp is the Future of Tottenham Hotspur
Skipp’s Delight
Oliver Skipp expressed his delight at signing a new contract when speaking with Spurs TV: “Being at the club since I was very young, it is nice to extend my contract here.”
At just 19-years-old, Skipp has played 21 times for the North London club but is yet to cement a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s starting line up. He feels, though, that he can improve though under the Portugueses tutorship.
Hard Times Ahead
Whilst Skipp has time on his side, he will have to work very hard to break into that first 11.
Ahead of him in the pecking order is Harry Winks, in terms of the position that Skipp plays. Skipp is seen as being a good ballplayer with good retention and simple passing, something that Mourinho looks for in a midfielder. The boss doesn’t see Skipp as being a flair player but more a midfield general, taking control of games and dictating the pace.
Winks has not shown the same level of performance as he did a few years ago since overcoming a couple of injuries and that could give Skipp his way in. It will be hard work on the training pitch and possibly out on loan that will see him get his chance at Spurs but he should be under no illusions. He has a new contract and now the really hard work must begin.
Jose Mourinho Puts Faith in Youngster
Jose Mourinho has had his critics over not giving youth a chance. Yet, it was Mourinho who put his trust in Scott McTominay at Manchester United. The Spurs boss told football.london that he sees Skipp as the future of Spurs: “I think he’s genuinely Tottenham’s future. He’s one of these players by human quality, by personality, he is one of these kids that I have no doubt he will be an important player for Tottenham“
Mourinho even went as far to suggest that Skipp can be a future Captain of the club: “I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality. I feel really happy that he signed.”
High praise indeed.
Expectations
Mourinho has said also that Skipp would consider loan options. Whilst his future is at Spurs, he does need to get more minutes under his belt. Harry Kane had a long journey to stardom via Leyton Orient and Leicester City, among others, and the loan spells did his career no harm at all.
Sometimes it is easy to look at loans and try to look for fabulous performances when its the education that really matters. Loans helped Kane to improve fitness and physique. His performances were never anything special but that education was invaluable.
Playing week in week out; thinking about your position, your passing, your shooting, tackling – those key areas are what moulds a professional football from an academy prospect to Premier League star. That is what Oliver Skipp must aspire to.
One thing seems certain and that is that the club have faith in the youngster and it looks like he will be part of the future of Tottenham Hotspur.
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