Tottenham favourite Ledley King has heaped praise on academy graduate Oliver Skipp, suggesting that the youngster has a bright future ahead of him.
The 18-year-old has made his breakthrough into the Spurs first team this season, and has seen his chances come thick and fast in the wake of a spate of injuries to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Speaking during Sky’s coverage of Spurs’ Premier League clash with Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, King said: “He’s a tremendous young player. The first time I got to see him was in preseason against Barcelona and that day I was really impressed.
“I’m a big fan of his and for one so young he’s got great maturity, composure on the ball, and he likes a tackle as well.
“He reminds me a bit of Scott Parker who I played with. He’s got a great future ahead of him.”
OPINION
Skipp has almost been forced to step up out of necessity this season, but he has thrived and doesn’t look at all out of place. There are still flaws in his game, of course, but for a teenager he is magnificent, and it’s easy to see how he could become a crucial part of this Tottenham side for years to come. Pochettino is more than happy to put his faith in youth, and has reaped the benefits of that approach in the past, and it would seem that Skipp is just the latest in a long line of academy graduates to get their crack at the big time. There are few learning curves as steep as a title challenge, but the fact that Skipp has slotted in so seamlessly would suggest that he has a very bright future ahead of him. If he can continue on his current trajectory then he could easily follow in the footsteps of Harry Winks into the England squad.