Bryan Gil opens up on struggles at Spurs and the ‘physical’ changes he is making

Bryan Gil has admitted that he was not ready for Tottenham because he was unable to cope with the physicality of the Premier League. 

Gil joined Spurs last summer from Sevilla for around £21 million, in a deal that saw Erik Lamela move in the opposite direction (The Guardian).

But the talented 21-year-old Spaniard could not break into the fold in North London and was limited to appearances off the bench under both Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte. 

As such, he secured a loan move to Valencia on transfer deadline day last month and, in his first few games, has performed to the level that Spurs were initially expecting him to. 

Gil has since explained that he was not able to perform to the level required in England as he was lacking the correct physical traits, but believes his conditioning is starting to improve.

Speaking to Spanish publication AS, he said: “Every player needs to have continuity, to feel important. Here, at Valencia, I feel [important] from the first day. 

“Not playing affects you on a day-to-day basis, obviously, because you are sadder and more downcast. But it is part of football and you have to accept it.

“In the Premier League, training sessions are very physical, very hard. And that has helped me not to feel fatigued now.

“The adaptation, for me, was difficult. It is very physical football. Back and forth. Being there has been good for me, even if I didn’t play as much as I wanted. I’m more mature.

“I changed habits like eating. I had a chef at home and I gained two kilos. Even so, I noticed that it was not enough for the physical level that exists in the Premier League.”

Gil has made six appearances for Valencia so far during his loan spell, notching an assist against Barcelona in La Liga in the process (Transfermarkt). 

Spurs Web Opinion 

From the outset, it didn’t look like Gil was physically ready to take on Premier League football, and it is good that he has realised that himself. It is also good that he is playing while continuing to develop, as it would have been a big waste just to keep him rooted to the bench. 

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