Tottenham: Extension signings of Dier and Skipp good sign for Spurs

Tottenham look to solidify their team for next season in Mourinho’s image

Both Oliver Skipp and Eric Dier will have a role to play in the 2020-21 season for Tottenham Hotspur, and after both signings on the dotted line in the last few days, both are committed to the project for well after. So what does it mean for Spurs to re-up both Dier and Skippy?

Eric Dier Defensive Mainstay

Originally brought to the club during the summer of 2014 from Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, Eric Dier, has since played 239 times for Spurs at both defense and in the midfield. Originally in the squad as a center-half, Dier’s ability to make plays in the box led to a push further up the pitch into a midfield role where he caught the eye of the national team amassing 40 caps for the Three Lions.

After more than a year of truly bad luck with injuries, illness, and pandemic, Dier has found new life for Spurs under Jose Mourinho – who once tried to sign the Englishmen when he was at Manchester United. Dier has moved back to center-half, where his ability to play on either the right OR the left side makes him invaluable to the team, particularly with Jan Vertonghen seemingly on the way out.

Dier’s signing follows that of Toby Alderweireld who re-signed earlier in the Mourinho tenure leaving Spurs with 4 first team center-halves going into next season in Toby, Eric, Japhet Tanganga, and Davinson Sanchez. Add in Juan Foyth and potentially another signing, and the center-half position seems set for the near term.

Beyond the defensive prowess he brings to the team, as well as vocal leadership, Dier has been known to strike a mean free-kick from time to time. He has hit for the National team on both a free-kick and a penalty, something maybe Spurs should leverage at some point during the next season the way they used to Kieran Trippier.

Oliver Skipp Future Spurs Star

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Oliver Skipp the 19-year-old central midfielder for Spurs signed a new contract with the club over the weekend keeping him at Tottenham until 2024.

First making his senior debut in 2018 during Spurs summer tour of the US, Oliver Skipp has since made 21 first-team appearances for Spurs. Skiipp has made nine appearances with the club this season including playing the full 90 in the FA Cup loss to Norwich, putting in a display coach Jose Mourinho described as “phenomenal”.

Skipp has played for the England national team at the U-16, U-18, and U-21 level, making his U-21 debut coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Slovenia.

Although not known for his size, Skipp is a smart defensive midfielder who is just as willing to put in a tackle as he is to slide in a pass for a teammate.

Skipp’s most recent appearances with the club were coming on as a late defensive substitute to help hold the lead in Spurs’ victory over Arsenal and again in Spurs thrashing of Leicester City. While the minutes may be few, the experience and confidence gained as well as the trust of Jose Mourinho is priceless for the young midfielder.

Congratulations to both Eric Dier and Oliver Skipp on the contract extensions, let’s hope they have a big part for Spurs in the seasons ahead.  As important, let’s hope these are signs to come of the commitment of the current squad to the mission ahead.