Oliver Skipp admits there was disappointment involved when he made the decision to leave Tottenham in the summer, but insists it was a choice he had to make for the sake of his career.
Spurs academy graduate’s departure was inevitable
It did not come as a surprise when Tottenham decided to accept a £20m offer from Leicester City for Oliver Skipp back in the summer.
Ange Postecoglou had reinforced his midfield with exciting young additions and there were question marks over whether Skipp was a good fit for the Australian’s system.
The 24-year-old, who had been at Hotspur Way since the age of eight, and progressed through the age group ranks, said his goodbyes to his boyhood club, linking up with former teammate Harry Winks at the King Power Stadium.
Oliver Skipp opens up on decision to leave Tottenham
Oliver Skipp admits that it was not an easy decision to make, explaining that he grew up in a family of Tottenham fans and only ever dreamed of playing for the North London club. However, the midfielder confessed that it was a decision that he had to make in order to progress his own career.
When asked about the decision to leave N17, Skipp told The Athletic: “It was hard. It’s a club that’s been in my family and in my heart since I was young. My grandparents are all fans, and my parents.
“But as a player, you know when your time has come. I was grateful for the opportunities I got at Spurs and I made over 100 appearances that, as a boy growing up, was something you could only dream of.
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“But there comes a time where you know the time is right and I felt this summer that it was the perfect opportunity to experience something else and to challenge myself. It was mixed emotions, but I was ready to move on.”
Oliver Skipp admits his best is yet to come
The former Tottenham man acknowledged that Leicester fans have not seen the best of him yet, insisting that he knows he can do better.
However, the combative midfielder is confident that it is only a matter of time before he starts showing what he can do for the Foxes.
When asked about his own displays this season, Skipp said: “I still don’t want to make an excuse. I have been disappointed in my (Leicester) performances so far and I still feel like I could have performed better, but I’m confident that that will come and when I, hopefully, get a run of games, I can show what I can do.
“It takes an adjustment period, getting used to the surroundings, the new team-mates, it’s only natural it takes a while to settle in, but it’s one that I’m confident I can overcome.”