Chris Hughton has called on Yves Bissouma to be braver and show more personality if he wants to be a regular starter for Tottenham.
It is safe to say that most Spurs fans and the larger footballing public have been surprised by Bissouma’s lack of game time since his switch in the summer, given how well the midfielder had blossomed at Brighton during the previous couple of seasons.
Antonio Conte, who remarked last month that the Mali international was struggling to adapt to the tactical aspect of Tottenham’s system (Football London), handed the summer signing just his second start of the season against his former club on Saturday as Spurs shifted to a 3-5-2.
Bissouma put in a solid display at the Amex Stadium and having an extra body in midfield seemed to offer the Lilywhites a bit more control as they came away with a hard-fought 1-0 win.
Hughton has now remarked that it is down to the 26-year-old to step up and show that he has the confidence needed to succeed in a bigger environment like Tottenham.
The former Brighton manager told Sky Sports Premier League (08/10/22 from 19:30 onwards): “He is certainly a very gifted player. He can receive the ball in tight areas. I spoke to Graeme (Potter) about this and him being a very good continuity player. Keeping possession.
“I think he really blossomed last season, where he had a coach that changed the formations a lot. But still, there is that question, what’s his best position? In a midfield two or three?
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“The problem he had in not playing for Spurs on a regular basis is that, can he play in a two-man midfield where there is a specific role asked of him?
“I would ask him to show more personality on the pitch. That’s one question you asked. Can he rise to the big occasion? Can he control games in a bigger environment?
“That’s maybe why he hasn’t played as much. At Brighton last season, he developed and he developed well. They saw the best of him, hence the move, now it’s about the next level and a different and bigger environment.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I would not be surprised if Bissouma starts against Frankfurt on Wednesday as I expect Conte to continue with a 3-5-2, particularly if Kulusevski and Moura remain out of action.
Like Hughton points out, the big question with Bissouma is whether he is ready to play in a two-man midfield if Conte reverts to a 3-4-3 over the coming weeks.
The answer to that particular question, for the moment, seems to be ‘no’, mainly because of the fact that Hojbjerg and Bentancur have both been in exceptional form.
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