After making 12 appearances in all competitions last season, Oliver Skipp would have hoped for more first-team opportunities in 2019/20, but the 19-year-old has been short of playing time (four appearances this season) and has been frequently left out of the matchday squad (nine times in all competitions).
Skipp was named in the matchday squad in 54% of Tottenham’s Champions League games (7), 100% of their FA Cup matches (2), 80% of their EFL Cup outings and 55% of their Premier League bouts (21) in 2018/19. He’s made the squad just once in the league since September and once in Europe since the campaign started.
Stiff competition in midfield may have contributed to Skipp’s lack of minutes, with Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and even Victor Wanyama keeping the England u21 international sidelined. Tottenham’s poor start to the season meant Pochettino took less risk with squad selection and opted for more experience.
Should Oliver Skipp be given more time at the club?
Yes
No
Skipp has featured recently, making a cameo appearance in Tottenham’s 4-0 win over FK Crvena zvezda (November 6), but that’s his first senior outing in two months. He’s amassed only 82 minutes of football this season. With 25 u23 appearances under his belt, Skipp doesn’t need any more football for the reserves.
Unfortunately, he can’t get a sniff in the first-team either.