Tottenham academy starlet confident he can push on next season

Mauricio Pochettino often likes to bring one or two Tottenham academy players through into the first-team set-up each year.

The most successful on these during his reign has certainly been Harry Winks, but the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Luke Amos, Kazaiah Sterling, and more have also progressed.

Last season, young Oliver Skipp was used sporadically by the Argentine boss in central midfield, making 12 appearances for the Lilywhites all season.

The 18-year-old is quick and confident on the ball and, much like Harry Winks, has the ability to retain possession, pick a pass, and drive forwards himself with the ball at his feet.

However, despite a very productive breakthrough season under his belt, Skipp is keen not to rest on his laurels or be caught celebrating, as he hopes to push on through the 2019/20 campaign.

He said (Tottenham Website): “All I can do is try to push on. Okay, I’ve been able to show a bit of what I can do last season but now I start again, make sure I have the same attitude.

“You have to show the same level of desire and not rest on your laurels, keep going and hopefully improve on last season. That’s what I’m looking to do and that’s why this pre-season is massive again for me to hopefully get another chance to impress the manager.

“You can never be satisfied with what you’ve done. You always have to look forward.

“This is a new challenge and hopefully I can build on the momentum I gained last season. You have to push on, impress again, have the same attitude and hopefully carry on and build again.”

As first seasons go, it wasn’t a bad one for Skipp. Not only was he one of the first players to grace the new White Hart Lane pitch, but he was even named as part of the travelling squad for the Champions League final for his boyhood club.

Skipp said: “It was a massive season for the Club – imagine that’s your first season in senior football! It’s crazy!

“Some players would have to wait years for that experience, so it was brilliant to be around a Champions League Final, soaking up all that information.

“You can’t get too high in the good times because you know in football a negative could be just around the corner. If you are in a bad place, a couple of good training sessions or a good performance can change it all around.

“It’s important that you don’t let it get to you and don’t constantly overthink things. Staying level-headed is a good asset to have and taking everything in your stride is the best way.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

Despite being just 18, Skipp talks with maturity and experience. I believe he will rack up more and more appearances over the next couple of seasons, and hopefully progress at a similar rate to Harry Winks.

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