Yves Bissouma has been reflecting on his time working with Antonio Conte, and insists he still has a lot of respect for the Italian coach despite their differences last season.
When Tottenham signed Bissouma in a £25 million deal from Brighton last summer, it set tongues wagging among the Spurs faithful, who assumed the club had secured an incredible deal for a top player.
Things didn’t quite go to plan for Bissouma in his debut season with Spurs, though, with the Malian seemingly falling out of favour with Antonio Conte and struggling to adapt to his system.
Thankfully, this season, Bissouma is looking much more like the player Spurs thought they had signed in the first place. The midfielder has become a key figure under Ange Postecoglou and is flourishing now.
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How does Bissouma feel about Conte now?
Speaking to SpursPlay about a multitude of topics, the conversation turned to Conte, and Bissouma remains thankful to his former manager for bringing him to the club.
He said: “It’s true, there was a coach who I owe respect to, because he helped me sign with Tottenham, and that’s it. We didn’t see football the same way… but he was the coach, the boss and I have always shown him respect. Even now.”
Bissouma clearly doesn’t blame Conte for his struggles, however, adding: “In hindsight I think I’d say it simply wasn’t meant to be my season because you get a feeling before the season begins. When you get injured in the pre-season or you catch Covid, all of that was a bit of an indicator.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It’s good of Bissouma to speak so openly, but also sincerely about Conte. I definitely think Conte misused Bissouma, and we are seeing the benefits of properly utilising this kind of player and keeping him happy right now.
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