Premier League 2018-19: The emergence of Oliver Skipp at Tottenham
In one of the recent press conferences, Mauricio Pochettino showered Oliver Skipp with praise by saying “I think he played like a 30-year-old man. So relaxed, trying to play forward and trying to give the team what the team needs, plenty of energy, full energy, I am so proud of him.”
Born and bought up in a small town Hertford, Oliver is just 18 years old.
With the ongoing new stadium issues and injury crisis at the North London club Tottenham Hotspur, Oliver Skipp’s nimble emergence has eased the pressure on manager Pochettino. Skipp made his senior debut during Tottenham's 2018 pre-season tour of the United States. Since then he has shown clear signs of becoming a good defensive midfielder.
He scored a stunning goal in a 3-1 win at Arsenal in March 2018 in Premier League 2; as a result, he became an instant fan favourite.
Spurs have won every game Oliver Skipp has played in
With Moussa Sissoko injured, Dier out with appendicitis and Dembele moving to China, Tottenham needed someone to come in and stabilize the midfield. Here, Skipp grabbed the opportunity and since has shown exceptional energy and maturity on the pitch.
Every great team has a player who comes through the ranks and takes over the responsibility of a leader with ease. Consequently, this young lad can do the same for Spurs with his understated grace and elegance.
Since making his first Premier League appearance in December 2018 against Southampton, Skipp has played a total of 187 minutes of football across 6 games. Furthermore, his tackle success rate is 60 percent, he has won 18 duels and 2 successful 50/50s. As a result, Spurs have secured all the points in those games.
In his full Premier League debut against Burnley, Skipp got a standing ovation from the home crowd as he was coming off to be subbed by Heung-Min Son at the 75th-minute mark. In this match, his passing accuracy was staggering 85 percent and he also created a goal-scoring opportunity for the team.
Spurs can count on Oliver Skipp to deliver in the upcoming Champions League and Premier League matches. He won't be in the starting eleven but Pochettino will most definitely use him as a sub, especially, when the team is in need for some defensive cover.
How can Pochettino get the best out of Oliver Skipp?
Stats suggest Skipp is more defensive minded and has done close to nothing attacking wise. He has committed only 3 fouls in six games and likewise ticked almost all the boxes in terms of the attributes needed to be a good defensive midfielder.
Hence, Pochettino can bring him on in the later stages of the game where he can provide cover for centre backs or use him to press the opposition as he did against Leicester.