Jose Mourinho made enormous prediction about new Charlton Athletic signing | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic completed the signing of Oliver Skipp from Leicester City on deadline day

Jose Mourinho once dubbed new Charlton Athletic signing Oliver Skipp as the future of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Portuguese coach took over the Premier League side in November 2019, replacing Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing start to the new campaign.

He oversaw 86 games in charge of the London outfit before being dismissed just days before an EFL Cup final clash against Manchester City.

The 63-year-old has gone on to manage Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica before making a sensational return to Real Madrid this summer.

Oliver Skipp’s move to Charlton Athletic

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Charlton confirmed a move for Skipp on deadline day, with the midfielder making the switch from Leicester City on a season-long loan.

The 25-year-old departed Spurs for the Foxes in 2024 after being unable to cement himself as a key part of the side under Antonio Conte.

He was the 11th and final addition to Nathan Jones’ side of the summer transfer window, making the jump back up to the Championship from League One.

The former Spurs player has made a total of 79 appearances at this level, including 45 for Norwich City when they won the league title under Daniel Farke in 2021 as part of a loan spell.

Jose Mourinho’s belief in Oliver Skipp

During Mourinho’s first pre-season with Spurs, he outlined his plans for Skipp and his excitement for what was to come from the player.

He claimed that the then teenager was the future of the club, and that he was pleased to see him sign a new long-term deal to commit his future to Tottenham.

"I'm really happy [he's signed a new deal],” said Mourinho, via Football London.

“Everybody in the club is, his team-mates are, I am and Skippy is or not he wouldn't sign the contract. I think he's genuinely Tottenham's future.

"He's one of these players by human quality, by personality, he is one of these kids that I have no doubt he will be an important player for Tottenham.”

Skipp went out on loan to Norwich that summer, and upon his return he made 62 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs before signing for Leicester.

The 25-year-old played a further 24 times in the top flight for the Foxes, but they ultimately suffered back-to-back relegations in the last two seasons, and are now competing in League One.

Oliver Skipp can have a big impact at Charlton

Charlton have added the likes of Nathaniel Chalobah and Timothy Ouma to their midfield, as well as Skipp, to go along with Greg Docherty and Conor Coventry as options in that area of the squad.

Skipp can provide a level of technical quality that should make him a regular presence in Jones’ first team plans this season.

The 25-year-old is also quite defensively solid, and he had 5.28 defensive contributions per 90 last season (all stats from Fotmob).

This included 1.86 tackles and 0.98 interceptions each game, while also completing 83.3 per cent of his passes.

Skipp’s top level experience will also be a useful asset to have in the Charlton dressing room, with the club looking to improve on last season’s 19th place finish.

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Oliver Skipp has room to grow at Charlton

The environment at Leicester wasn’t great for players like Skipp to grow and develop, with the club struggling for form and with financial issues.

Coaches were cycled through regularly, with Russell Martin becoming the latest to take to the dugout this summer.

Meanwhile, at the Valley, Jones is in a stable position as head coach, and there is less pressure to perform at the London outfit.

This should help get the best out of Skipp, who is still only 25 and has room to still develop and grow.