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Tottenham close to agreeing new long-term contract with Oliver Skipp - Lyall Thomas
Tottenham are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with young midfielder Oliver Skipp, according to a report by Sky Sports.
The defensive midfielder became a first-team regular with Spurs this season under Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, before picking up a pelvic injury in January.
But despite missing a host of first-team action and the club signing Rodrigo Bentancur during the January transfer window, they have seen enough to warrant giving him a new long-term contract.
According to Sky reporter Lyall Thomas, talks are very advanced and there is confidence from all sides that a deal will get done soon.
He is also expected to return to full fitness in the near future and start competing for a place in central midfield again alongside Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
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A Spurs side that has seriously lacked in quality options in the middle of the park for several seasons now is looking stronger than at any point in recent memory in that position.
Skipp’s skillset of winning the ball back, being progressive with the ball and having energy to carry him around the pitch fit perfectly with the philosophy that manager Conte has brought with him to north London.
His performances before his injury were impressive considering it was his first season playing at the highest level on a regular basis and Spurs should be very happy to tie him down to a new deal.
An academy prospect, he will look to push on now and continue to impress the manager and with some luck and top performances could easily find himself in with a shout for Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup later this year.
Spurs have got competition for places in an important area of the pitch and Skipp’s return will be a boost for the rest of the season as they chase down a potential Champions League place for next year.
In other Tottenham news, Troy Parrott proves he’s ready for big time with last-gasp international heroics.