Oliver Skipp has already been tipped by Jose Mourinho as a future captain of Tottenham Hotspur [Football London].
And now former Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda has added that he feels the same about the Hotspur Way gem.
Okay it’s a little more impressive when it comes from somebody like Mourinho, given his standing in the sport.
But Chimbonda, unlike the Portuguese coach, has played the game and if he sees leadership qualities in the 21-year-old midfielder, it has to be taken seriously.
Skipp has played all seven of Spurs’ Premier League games this season but only started five of them.
Here’s what their former right-back said to Spurs Web about the academy star.
“Oliver Skipp has started the season really well, that’s why he deserves to be in the starting XI. He should be starting most games because he has shown how hungry he is on the pitch when he has got the chance.
“He could be a future captain but it’s too early to say. He can make everyone be at the same level as him and that is something a captain does. He can drive his teammates and make sure that everyone follow.”
Grim
It’s a pretty poor indictment of the Lilywhites’ squad as a whole when an academy player, with 22 Premier League games under his belt, is being considered as their next skipper.
Not that Skipp doesn’t have leadership qualities, which he does, but at the same time it is strange that he’s seen as the best candidate for the armband after Hugo Lloris leaves North London.
These shouts are also a little unfair on the player himself because he should be allowed the time and patience to cement himself as a Tottenham regular before anything else.
That being said, pressure makes diamonds and he might well thrive under the responsibility.
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