What should Tottenham do with Oliver Skipp next season?
The Evening Standard have quoted Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho as stating that ‘Future Tottenham captain’ Oliver Skipp wants a loan move.
Only recently did academy graduate and defensive midfielder Oliver Skipp sign a new contract at the club that will keep him at Tottenham until 2024.
Earlier this season, former Spurs boss Pochettino had blocked all loan deals for his side’s best young talents as the manager felt it would be more beneficial for them to stay at the club and work on developing their game.
But it does seem like manager Jose Mourinho is open to the idea of sending the players out on loan for match time and experience. The same was seen in the case of Kyle Walker-Peters, who the manager didn’t want immediately but wanted him to get experience, sending him to Southampton on loan.
What should Tottenham do with Skipp?
With opportunities clearly hard to come by given Tottenham’s depth in midfield at the moment, a move elsewhere would be massively beneficial for the young midfielder.
The youngster is a defensive midfielder and can play anywhere in the middle of the park. Skipp has also played as a back-up centre-back during his youth career. The player boasts of great defensive abilities.
His ability also got him his maiden call to the England under-21 side earlier this October. Having demonstrated his talent already, Skipp is somebody treasured by Tottenham and his new deal means exactly that. Giving him more game time will only benefit them in the long run.
Perhaps it will be in the best interest of both parties that youngster spends some time in the EFL Championship before returning to North London next season.
Mourinho’s arrival has seen Skipp get lesser match time, as the Portuguese is not known for using young talents but identifying them. But given the squad at Tottenham, Japhet Tanganga, Ryan Sessegnon and Troy Parrott have all found opportunities at the club.
But for the skilled 19-year-old midfielder, the case is different, as the squad has depth in his preferred role. Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Giovani Lo Celso, Eric Dier, Tanguy Ndombele and the availability of Gedson Fernandes on loan for the whole of next season means Skipp has had to settle for a peripheral role.
Skipp needs experience and he won’t get much game time next season too if this scenario continues. Hence, he needs to go elsewhere. Tottenham should let the player go on loan for a season or two to help him develop.
