Player Watch Player Watch: Yves Bissouma

[Timbo Tottenham]

I think this is probably the case. Way too much cardio work pre-season (and from what i can tell, midweek between matches also) has led to so many injuries this season to key players. I'm just surprised that Kane hasn't pulled up with an ankle issue as a result.

Having had ankle issues myself (I have had to strap them up since my early 20s and I’m now early 40s! Touch wood, haven’t rolled one properly in a while…), Kane has been ‘lucky’ in the sense that his have all come from contact, rather than just rolling when landing or just randomly, which indicates to me that there isn’t an actual weakness, just bad luck.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Ahhh, good call - I totally blanked on him needing more time to recover. I think they best we'll see is signing a creative AM like Maddison, GLC being re-integrated into the team and maybe Harvey White having a place as well. Leaving us with Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr, Skipp, PEH, Maddison, GLC, White as our CM/AM options.

Problem for me then is that if we are playing 3 in midfield with an AM, the AM is going to have to press really well and one of the CM’s should be actively pressing too when we don’t have the ball. We probably have the worst press in the league which is why we make every opponent look so good. If we do that then we need to have CM’s that are dynamic enough to be able to press and/or slot in and cover the defence while the other is pressing.

Bissouma could definitely do it and has the press resistance and footballing ability to look good in the role. Neither Hojbjerg or Skipp really feel dynamic enough in there or have the ability to pass out from deep when we are on the ball (yes Hojbjerg has had some assists further up the pitch but he plays teammates into trouble from deep more than any midfielder I’ve seen).

Bentancur could do it. Sarr maybe but we’ve not seen it yet (would actually be all for trying Bissouma and Sarr against Brentford). Beyond that I think we’re lacking. We can’t get completely dominated in midfield again next year.

 

[Gilzeanking]

We probably have the worst press in the league which is why we make every opponent look so good.

This is a huge issue.

Strange when we came from a revolutionary(ish) high pressing team with Poch where intensity of press was key to... 'probably the worst'

Bissouma looked bright and will fit with our pressing team ambitions next year imo.

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

A shining light from the end of this season

 

[rabbikeane]

They've got caicedo who is pretty decent. They haven't missed him at all.

Their dropped points have often come when they'd have to rotate though

 

[Tucker]

A shining light from the end of this season

Him and a fit again Bentancur could be very very nice.

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

Hope he gets the number 8 shirt this season

 

[ssamme]

Hope he gets the number 8 shirt this season

He might need to beat Winks in a competition of who can pass it backwards and sideways first....

 

[Frank Blank]

He might need to beat Winks in a competition of who can pass it backwards and sideways first....

Are you assuming Davies is being sold?

 

[SonnySpurs]

Is he better suited as the 6 or 8 in Postecoglou's formation

 

[dude573]

I am so excited to see him next season. I was amazed when we pulled the signing off last Summer. He was one of the best CMs in the league while he was at Brighton and hopefully having a more progressive manager reawakens his form.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Is he better suited as the 6 or 8 in Postecoglou's formation

Certainly not an 8 imo.

Think hell be competing for the 6.

 

[dtxspurs]

Certainly not an 8 imo.

Think hell be competing for the 6.

He should walk that competition. Vastly better player than Skipp or PEH.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

He should walk that competition. Vastly better player than Skipp or PEH.

Not from what he has done in a Spare shirt which has largely been pretty poor

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Not from what he has done in a Spare shirt which has largely been pretty poor

Comptabuck you think he has been good in a Spurs shirt wow
I think he has struggled and has a lot to improve upon the two mentioned Skipp and Hojberg had better seasons in a midfield that was exposed by the tactics used

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Comptabuck you think he has been good in a Spurs shirt wow
I think he has struggled and has a lot to improve upon the two mentioned Skipp and Hojberg had better seasons in a midfield that was exposed by the tactics used

He was definitely largely poor in Conte's system. Showed more what he was about when he played under Mason though.

I think he has superior talent than Hojberg/Skipp but I don't necessarily think he will competing with them for the no.6 position. He has the skillset to play at one of the no.8s IMO.

 

[ronzalo]

There’s lots to be positive about next season IF Bissouma and Bentencur can stay fit / perform to their max level. That is a strong centre midfield. Just need a playmaker now.

 

[matty74]

There’s lots to be positive about next season IF Bissouma and Bentencur can stay fit / perform to their max level. That is a strong centre midfield. Just need a playmaker now.

You do realise that Bentancar won’t be anywhere near back to best until at least January? He’s unlikely to be involved in he team again until at least November. His injury was a bad one no guarantee he will be the same player for a long time

 

[greavesy461]

You do realise that Bentancar won’t be anywhere near back to best until at least January? He’s unlikely to be involved in he team again until at least November. His injury was a bad one no guarantee he will be the same player for a long time

You are probably right but good to see him jogging on his Instagram recently. Fingers crossed.

 

[spursfan77]

Amazing to think we signed him a year ago today. We really did get started early on transfers last summer.