It is no secret that Sissoko’s time at Spurs is drifting slowly towards an end.
The Frenchman is turning 32 this year and, despite his stellar performances this season, it is unlikely that he will stay longer than his current contract, which expires in 2023. However, a move away before that date is more likely.
Tottenham will, of course, need to find a replacement and they should look no further than academy prospect, Oliver Skipp.
The youngster is currently on loan at Norwich, who sit top of the Championship by eight points, with the midfield talisman having a lot to say for the Canaries’ dominance.
According to Transfermarkt, he has played 97% of all minutes available in the league so far this season, clearly showing much Daniel Farke trusts him.
However, Skipp also has other admirers, with Jose previously branding him as the future captain of Tottenham – Along with the Norwich captain, Grant Hanley, who claimed that Skipp has ‘experience beyond his years’.
Skipp is most comfortable playing as a defensive midfielder, although he has played as a centre back and central midfielder this season at times when called upon.
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This makes him slightly more defensive than Sissoko, who has played most of his minutes as a central midfielder this season, as well as a few games at right-midfield.
However, we all know that the Spurs play much deeper than most, meaning any central midfielder is automatically more defensive.
Skipp has displayed his high range of passing types this season, floating balls over the top to strikers from deep-lying midfield positions. This is something that Sissoko lacks, as his short passing is good but he remains unable to do the more extravagant passes that can cut teams open.
This is something that runs through the first team as, bar Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane, who else can consistently and accurately play a ball long and over the top?
Skipp also has the advantage of being a homegrown player, something that Sissoko does not. This makes squad selection easier and allows Tottenham to sign more players from abroad in order to improve the squad.
Skipp has played for England 24 times across the various youth teams but has been unable to earn a spot in the first team as of yet.
His age means that any shortcomings to his style of play can still be ironed out, especially under the management of Jose, who has worked with some of the best defensive midfielders over the past decade.
Overall, Skipp has all the qualities required to replace and surpass Sissoko, securing a spot in the Tottenham midfield for years to come. Who knows, maybe Jose is right, a future captain too…
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