Three Tottenham players with a pre-season point to prove

A new season is an opportunity for some players to set a new tone and begin earning minutes; here are three such players for Tottenham who all have a point to prove this pre-season. 

For fans, pre-season is a time filled with hope for the shared journey ahead. Pre-season is a different story for players, particularly those battling for a spot in the squad rotation. Players can fight for all kinds of opportunities, like a starting role, a second chance, or even just a place in the squad. Here are three such players, all trying to prove a point to Antonio Conte – and maybe even themselves – this pre-season.

Can Skipp reclaim a starting role in the Tottenham midfield?

One of the brightest players for Tottenham during an uneven first half of the season was Oliver Skipp. He was a Premier League mainstay for Spurs until being injured in late January.

After a highly successful loan with Norwich, where he played 47 of 49 matches and nearly 3900 minutes, Skipp featured in 18 of Spurs’ first 20 Premier League matches.

Having featured 51 total times for the club, Skipp, who will not be 22 until September, is a significant part of Tottenham’s future. However, as a player with 51 appearances at 21, Skipp also wants to be part of the present.

Skipp was already going to have his hands full in battling with Pierre Hojbjerg and new incumbent Rodrigo Bentancur before the summer transfer window. Now with Yves Bissouma a part of the squad, the competition for the two places in the midfield will be tough.

For Skippy, showing he is again healthy and ready to battle will be a significant first step in reclaiming a starting role, and the pre-season is the time and place to do that.