Rodrigo Bentancur has spoken about his favourite position in the current Tottenham set-up and about the competition for places in the club’s midfield.
Bentancur has looked a little rusty since returning from his injury, which is to be expected, given how much football the Uruguayan has missed.
The 26-year-old had been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers under Antonio Conte prior to his ACL injury a year ago and Spurs fans will be hoping that he can soon return to the same level.
Bentancur is arguably the club’s most well-rounded midfielder, possessing the engine and defensive awareness to protect the back four while also having the inventiveness in possession and passing range to help the side create chances.
Postecoglou thus has the decision to make on whether to use him as the number six or a number eight and the former Juventus man insisted that he is happy to play either role.
When asked which position he prefers, the midfielder told Tottenham’s official website: “Honestly, whether I’m playing as a No 6 or a No 8, I honestly enjoy featuring in both roles.
“I realise that I need a few more miles on the clock in order to get back to the level I was at before my injuries. I’m working on that currently, but whichever position the manager needs me to play in, I always hope to be ready to go and perform there.”
Bentancur welcomes competition for Spurs spot
The competition for places in the middle of the park is quite intense at Spurs, with Bentancur competing with Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp for two spots.
The 26-year-old insisted that irrespective of who starts, everyone in the squad wants to help each other perform at their best.
When asked about the competition for places, Bentancur responded: “It absolutely is like I was saying, we’ve built a real family atmosphere here, in which everyone helps each other out, irrespective of whether or not they happen to be in the starting XI.
“We have a really healthy competition that exists within the group, and we’re showing proof of that all the time, and for that we’re really happy.”
Spurs Web Opinion
As things stand, it does seem like Sarr, Bissouma and Bentancur are competing for two spots, with Skipp and Hojbjerg being backups. The fact that the Uruguayan can play as an eight or a six gives him an advantage as Sarr is only adept at the former and Bissouma at the latter.