Jamie Redknapp has stated that Oliver Skipp ‘needs (more) games’ at Tottenham Hotspur after he was handed his first start during his side’s defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has been used to minutes from the bench this season, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Yves Bissouma all ahead of him.
But with Hojbjerg being injured for the weekend game, Antonio Conte opted to play a three-man midfield, which he has done on occasions this season and Skipp started.
But Skipp, who has been on-loan at Norwich City in recent years, is fully aware that, if everyone is fit, then he’s not getting enough minutes.
Bentancur joined during the January transfer window and instantly formed a strong partnership with Hojbjerg and now Bissouma can be added to that list.
As Jamie Redknapp touched upon it, all of this makes Skipp’s life much tougher than it is and all he has to do is continue to work hard in training, as he told Sky Sports Football (23/10/22 at 4:20 pm).
“For Oliver, he just needs games,” said Redknapp. “It’s difficult when you are up against good players. Bentancur has been a revelation since he has come. Hojbjerg as well in there, and then they go and sign Bissouma.
“So, as a young player, you are thinking ‘where am I going to fit in?’ You have to go in every day and train hard. Show the manager how much you want it. It isn’t always that easy.”
SKIPP MIGHT NEED TO LEAVE
It’s understandable if Skipp would want to stay at his boyhood club, where there is Champions League football, one of the best coaches in the world and some of the best players.
But the hard-hitting midfielder needs to start thinking about his long-term future and it doesn’t seem like it will be in north London.
Skipp is more than good enough to play on a regular basis for a Premier League side, and do a very good job, but he’s not going to exactly make noises by warming the bench.
Therefore, come the January transfer window, he needs to be bold enough to ask for that move, and if need be, make a permanent transfer.
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