- By Nicky Helfgott
- Half-Time Orange
“When I was younger I loved {Cristiano} Ronaldo (and still do)“
Aaron Skinner on which player(s) have inspired him
Having already signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur after only six months at the club, it is clear Aaron Skinner is a talented young player. Skinner is a defender who signed for Tottenham in November 2019 after impressing during a short trial period. Skinner previously had played for Bury’s academy for six years and had helped them to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup. Recently, having clearly shone in Spurs’ youth set-up, Skinner signed his first pro contract with the Lilywhites which is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
We had the fortune of interviewing Aaron and we delved into what life is like at Tottenham’ academy and if he has the opportunity of training with some of the regular first team players. Skinner told us “My time at Spurs so far has been really enjoyable”. Skinner isn’t the first Spurs player to rave about their academy. Recently, we interviewed Polish goalkeeper Kasper Kurylowicz who also spoke positively about his experience at the club. He continued, “I’ve loved every minute of going in and training and playing with the quality of players that we have every day as it’s helped me improve massively which is the main thing for me personally.”
On whether or not he has had the opportunity to work with some of the more seasoned professionals at the club, Skinner said “I have been lucky enough to train with the first team and I was really impressed with there intensity which showed me the levels I have to get to if I am going to be with them“. In the last year, academy starlet Japhet Tanganga has broken into the first team squad and manager Jose Mourinho has praised him very highly in interviews. As well as Tanganga, right back Kyle Walker-Peters has also established himself in the first team squad in the last two seasons although he is currently on loan at Southampton.
Talking about whether he looks up to these players who have bridged the gap in recent seasons, Skinner admitted that “it inspires me as I see people who I have played”.
We asked Aaron which players inspire him or if he bases his personal game from any particular player. Although Skinner didn’t name any defenders, he did name another player who has worked his way out of the Tottenham academy and has been dubbed ‘Little Iniesta’ by Mourinho’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino! Skinner told us, “When I was younger I loved {Cristiano} Ronaldo (and still do) for how hard he worked in order to design himself to be one of if not the best in the world but in terms of actual play style I obviously look at Harry Winks because I see him every week and like to see how he controls the play and speed of play”.
As we often ask in these interviews, we were interested to see Skinner’s goals and where he desires to be in ten years time. He told us “In football I don’t think you ever really know but I would like to think I {will be} playing in the premier league and I believe that if I continue to work as I have been doing to improve everyday that that will happen”. Skinner has a strong mentality and we are looking forward to seeing his career develop in the years to come!
Half-Time Orange 