Former Spurs coach thinks 23-year-old is actually perfect for Ange Postecoglou

Former Tottenham academy coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst believes that Oliver Skipp has all the attributes to thrive in Ange Postecoglou’s system if the Australian hands him opportunities.

Until a couple of years ago, Skipp was seen by many Spurs fans as being a potential future star, with the midfielder also being viewed by many as an England prospect.

However, the youngster has had more than his fair share of injury problems since then, which has slowed down his development and he fell considerably down the pecking order after Postecoglou arrived last summer.

The 23-year-old has started just four Premier League matches all season and it has been suggested that he could leave his boyhood club at the end of the season.

Football.London’s Alasdair Gold reported just a couple of days ago that Skipp could follow Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg out of the door this summer, with Postecoglou said to be keen on signing a new number six this summer.

Former Spurs coach says Oliver Skipp is perfect for Postecoglou

However, Isaksson-Hurst, who worked with the Skipp when he was coming through the ranks of the Spurs academy, believes that the Lilywhites would be making a mistake by letting the midfielder leave.

He told Football Insider: “Skipp was always one of the strongest in the group. “He had great technical skills, was very intelligent and has a really high football IQ, and a generally high IQ as well. He’s a very clever young man.

“He definitely stood out and worked really hard. Physically, he was good as well in terms of his size – not necessarily the quickest at the time, but he was always one of the strongest. I think he suits the style of play that Postecoglou is trying to implement.

“He’s very good on the ball and likes to play, so I think all modern-day managers who want to keep the ball need players who can play under pressure and play forward. Skippy is really good at that.”

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It might feel a little unfair on Skipp that he has not been given a run in the side to prove himself this season. However, Postecoglou and his coaching staff watch the 23-year-old in training regularly as they have concluded that the likes of Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur and even Hojbjerg are preferable options in the current system.