Oliver Skipp: “It’s been a long time - it felt good to be back!”

Heung-Min Son is home in Seoul, and Oliver Skipp was certainly feeling back at home in the place he loves to be the most - in the thick of the action as we beat Team K League 6-3 in our pre-season opener on Wednesday night.

The first match of the Coupang Play Series here in Korea delivered a number of positives - not least Skippy’s return after recovering from a pubis injury that had kept him sidelined since January. The midfielder, still just 21, played the first half with Matt Doherty and Japhet Tanganga, also back from injury, getting 45 minutes under their belts as well.

A crowd of over 64,000 were treated to quite a game, as Sonny and Harry Kane lit up Seoul World Cup Stadium with two goals each. Eric Dier also hit a belter to get the wheels in motion on an occasion that had just about everything.

As you’d expect, Skippy, who passed the 50-game mark for the Club in January, was all smiles afterwards. Speaking alongside Sonny on SPURSPLAY - watch in full below - he told us: “It felt really good to be back out there. It’s been a long time, so it was great to get those minutes in and be back with the team, being out here, 11 v 11, that was really nice!

“It’s amazing, the support we’ve had from everyone since we’ve been here, amazing. The whole team has felt the love from everyone in Korea, so we’re really grateful.”

Asked for his highlights of the night, it was no surprise that Skippy picked out a debut for Charlie Sayers and Academy players getting a chance - just as he did during our tour of the USA back in 2018. Indeed, fellow Academy graduates Brandon Austin - his debut - Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Harvey White and Troy Parrott all featured (not forgetting Japhet and a certain Harry Kane) and there were also debuts for Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr.

“Seeing the Academy boys come on, that was nice for me,” added Skippy. “Charlie making his debut, Troy, Harvey as well, it’s always nice for me as an Academy player. They’ve been really good in training, got their chance and taken it. If they need any advice, we’re here for them but they are all good players in their own right, so it's really exciting to see.”

Watch - Skippy and Sonny on SPURSPLAY