Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Oliver Skipp is in line for a new contract after his impressive breakthrough into Nuno Santo’s first-team this season…
What’s the word?
That’s according to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, who dropped an intriguing claim during a recent online Q&A with supporters.
When asked about the 21-year-old’s long-term future amid speculation he was in line to receive a bumper new deal, the ever-reliable reporter seemingly confirmed such news.
Does Oliver Skipp deserve a new contract?
Yesssss!
No way!
The Sun reported last month that Spurs were preparing to hand the young midfielder a new deal worth £40k-per-week, an increase from around £25k-per-week.
Gold said: “I think it’s just a matter of time.
“He’s a key starter now and he’s only going to get better. He loves it at the club and is a far more developed player than the one who signed a four-year deal 15 months ago, so I think that will be sorted sooner rather than later.”
Fans will be delighted
This would be just desserts for his fine form and emergence in the starting XI in 2021/22.
He has started six of their eight league games, as well as both their UEFA Europa Conference League group matches and the win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup, via Transfermarkt.
In that time, he has seen his value soar to £13.5m, having been £9m less than two-and-a-half years ago, just a few months after making his first-ever start in the Premier League in a 1-0 win over Burnley.
His presence at the base of midfield has been crucial in recent weeks.
He has averaged 2.4 tackles per game, a feat only bettered by the more senior Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Emerson Royal, whilst no player who has started two games or more has done better with the ball at his feet, having averaged a 90.5% passing accuracy, as per WhoScored.
Skipp is widely thought to be a leader in the making after former manager Jose Mourinho tipped him to one day become the team’s captain. He told reporters, via the Evening Standard: “I think he’s genuinely Tottenham’s future”, before later adding: “I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality.”
More recently, England U21 head coach Lee Carsley dubbed him “underrated“, also claiming:
“He’s one of those players that when they are not in the team you notice them. He goes about his business really well. Works on his game. I think he’s still got a lot of development to do.
“He’s going to get better, he’s going to get stronger. Physically he’ll improve the older he gets. He has outstanding ability and I’m sure Tottenham see that as we have as well over the years.”
Much of the Lilywhites faithful have also been left impressed by the young midfield terrier, as seen by their reactions in games against Newcastle United this weekend and during the aforementioned Carabao Cup clash.
They will therefore be absolutely delighted by this exciting development.
AND in other news, Alasdair Gold has also dropped an exciting Spurs transfer claim ahead of January…