Ange Postecoglou hailed Oliver Skipp for his performance against Barcelona, remarking that the midfielder has been ‘outstanding’ throughout pre-season.
As expected, Postecoglou changed all ten outfield players for the Joan Gamper Trophy clash compared to the side that took to the field against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
A midfield trio of Yves Bissouma, Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso started at the Lluos Companys Olympic Stadium, with the 22-year-old once again operating as one of the two number-eights with the Mali international playing as a six.
As we have come to witness throughout pre-season, the midfielders regularly broke into the box when the ball went out wide, with Skipp netting a first-half brace.
(Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Postecoglou full of praise for Skipp and Richarlison
When asked about the Tottenham academy graduate’s performance, Postecoglou told Football.London: “He has been outstanding. Obviously, he didn’t have much of a break but since he’s been in he’s got bags of energy and he uses that really well.
“He maintains an intensity with and without the ball that makes him hard to contend with. He was outstanding tonight. He got a significant knock early but battled through it and that shows the character of him.”
Postecoglou also praised Richarlison for the tireless work he put in on and off the ball, admitting that the Brazilian needed the runout and insisting that he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
When asked about feeling a second choice elven and Richarlison missing some chances, the Spurs head coach said: “There is no first choice, second choice. We needed to get minutes into everyone. Richy has had a bit of a knock and has missed a few days’ training.
“You could see he needed the run. He worked so hard for the team, he was unlucky with his chances but it is really important for us to get 70-75 minutes out of him today and he works so hard.”
The 57-year-old was then asked how Ricahrlison playing changes the team’s dynamic, to which he responded: “It doesn’t really, not in terms of the way we set up. Every player brings their own characteristics to it and that is what we want in the squad. It is not about having like for like, I’ve never believed that is the way to set up a squad.
“You want players to provide something different. The basic framework of our game doesn’t change and the central striker is still the focal point.
“He got into good areas and we got the ball into him. Every game we’ve played the striker has had a decent amount of chances and that is what we need to continue to do.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Richarlison’s hold-up play and his tireless pressing often go unnoticed. There is no doubt that he brings much more off the ball than Kane does (although he obviously is not on the same level in possession).
The Brazilian’s ability to run in behind also pushes the opposition backline further back, allowing our midfielders a little more time and space on the ball.
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