Oliver Skipp will be ready to hit the ground running for the first day of Antonio Conte’s pre-season and a big campaign for Tottenham. The Spurs head coach has high hopes for Skipp, having taken a shine to him quickly after arriving at the club in November, recognising his tactical intelligence, fitness levels and technique and he believes he can turn him into a top midfielder.
Antonio Conte said: “This player is a very young. He has really a lot of space for improvement. He played with great intensity, great passion, with heart, with soul. I think it was important because, for me, he doesn’t care if he’s only 21-years-old, who deserves to play. Today he played well. I think that I can improve him a lot in possession and technically, to look before the play that they have to do. We’re talking about an important prospect and I’m very happy for him, but now he has to continue in this way. He has to improve with the ball, no? In possession. This player, without the ball, he works very, very hard. To have him in the midfield together with Hojbjerg is very, very important. For sure, the part that he has to improve is with the ball but in one month I have seen a lot of improvement about Skippy. He’s a player who wants to improve. I think that the present and the future depends on him. If he wants to become a top midfielder. He could become a top midfielder, but he has to continue to work. He has this will, this desire to become an important player for Tottenham and for the present and for the future.”
There is much more to come from the 21-year-old and Conte believes that with Premier League and Champions League football in the schedule next season, Skipp is going to continue to improve and be an vital player in the squad.
Antonio Conte said: “I’m very happy for Skippy because he’s not only a good player, we are talking about a fantastic guy. Unfortunately he’s had that problem with his injury because in this moment he’s not available. I know his frustration. I think this new contract shows him that we trust him a lot. He’ll be very important for the present and for the future of Tottenham. I’m delighted for him.”
For Skipp, his future is very much at Spurs and he will approach what will be a gruelling first pre-season under Conte fully fit, excited and with no fear about what lies ahead.
Oliver Skipp said: “I feel like there’s a lot more [to come from me] and the next level I can get to and I’m really looking forward to showing that when I’m back. I think pre-season will be massive for me again to make sure I’m 100 per cent right for the start of the next season and to really push on again.”
Skipp has consistently improved in every single year of his career so far and Tottenham have no doubt that will happen again on the biggest stages next season.
