Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has branded Oliver Skipp’s move to Leicester City as the worst signing of the summer.
The Foxes, who returned to the Premier League after a brief spell in the Championship, appointed Steve Cooper as their new manager following Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea. They splashed £20 million on Skipp, a deal that has raised eyebrows.
Tottenham, meanwhile, made several changes in midfield, bringing in youngsters Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. The North London club is also believed to have inserted a sell-on clause in the Skipp deal, adding some future financial incentive to the transfer.
Bent, however, wasn’t impressed by Leicester’s acquisition of the 22-year-old. He believes Skipp doesn’t offer the Foxes what they need to stay in the top flight.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent did not hold back: “Worst signing, Oliver Skipp, and I feel so bad saying that,” he said, as quoted by The Spurs Web.
“You are a horrible man,” quipped Andy Goldstein in response. But Bent remained firm in his opinion:
“What am I supposed to do? I just think £20 million. Is that what Leicester needed? Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks. Harry was good last year in the Championship.”
Bent also compared Skipp’s arrival to Chelsea’s aggressive spending spree, suggesting that Leicester’s investment may not pay off.
“The reason why I am not putting Dewsbury-Hall (to Chelsea) in there is because Chelsea have just thrown the money left, right and centre at loads of different players, so you almost get lost in it.”
“I am not saying he is a bad player. Leicester fans can tell me, when they signed Oliver Skipp, did they automatically think ‘right, yes, he gives us the best chance of staying up?’ Does he? [Probably NOT]”
Leicester will be keen to see Skipp prove Bent wrong, especially as he has already featured in two of their first three Premier League games. The hope is that Skipp, alongside fellow ex-Spur Harry Winks, can form a solid partnership in midfield.
While it might be a hefty sum for a player who is still developing, Skipp’s performance at Leicester will determine whether this was a shrewd investment or an ill-advised gamble. All eyes will be on the Foxes to see if Skipp can take them to the next level.