Opinion: Looking at whether Spurs should start, bench or loan Oliver Skipp next year

Much has been made of the lack of creative, ball-playing midfielders in the current Spurs squad. And therefore, some fans have turned to Oliver Skipp’s progress on loan at Norwich in order to provide some much-needed optimism for the future.

The twenty-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year with the Canaries this season, having made twenty-eight appearances in the Championship (transfermarkt). 

So with regular first-team experience now under his belt, what might happen next season for the young Englishman?

Get him in the starting XI:

Is there an argument to be made that the midfielder could slot straight into the Spurs side next season? Stranger things have happened.

As has already been alluded to, the academy graduate has cemented a place in the Canaries side this season, starting every league game for a club who only last season were playing in the top flight.

With Daniel Farke still at the helm, and several key players remaining at the club after their relegation, Skipp is gaining the experience of playing for a team who have Premier League experience, and who are, once again, challenging at the top in their respective league.

Moreso, he does play a position in which Spurs might look to strengthen this summer.

With Spurs lacking in midfielders who can operate on both sides of the halfway line, he could be of use in the team.

Keep him as a squad player:

Others may think that what is best for Skipp is to utilise his experience of playing week in, week out, and to now increase his minutes at the top level, wherever he may find them.

This is also a good argument. 

One need only look at Harry Kane as an example of how effective it is to be given a chance at the top level, without being immediately thrown in at the deep end.

After several unsuccessful loans, it took Tim Sherwood and nothing to play for at the back end of the 2013-13 season to see Kane get his chance, and he hasn’t looked back since. 

So by keeping Skipp at close quarters and having him train amongst a whole host of international players, might this bring out the best of him in the long run?

Send him back out on loan in the Premier League: 

It may be that, despite the experience gained at Norwich, Skipp is still not ready to feature heavily for Spurs. In this case, a loan may be a good option again for next season. 

However, if this does transpire, it must be to a Premier League club. Given that Skipp is currently plying his trade at a club challenging for promotion to England’s top tier, any team worse off than this would be a negative move for his progression. 

Therefore, to prepare the midfielder for the challenges of playing for a club the size of Spurs, Skipp, if he were to go on loan, must play in a Premier League squad, which would allow him to gain the experience to slot into the Tottenham team in the near future.

What do you think Spurs should do with Skipp? 

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