Cristian Stellini explains Yves Bissouma’s tough start to life at Tottenham Hotspur since Brighton transfer
Tottenham Hotspur signed Yves Bissouma from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer and fans hoped that he would provide tough competition to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur in the starting XI.
This hasn’t been the case. The former Bayern Munich midfielder and the Uruguay international are manager Antonio Conte’s go-to pairing in central midfield.
Bissouma, meanwhile, has managed just eight starts in the Premier League under Conte. The Italian tactician admitted earlier this season that the Mali international was struggling to adapt to his tactical aspects in training.
Now, Stellini has more or less said the same thing. The Italian assistant manager took over press conference duties from the former Juventus boss ahead of his team’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Preston North End on Saturday (28 January).
When asked to explain why the 26-year-old midfielder has been struggling at Spurs so far, Stellini replied (h/t Football.London):
“Because it’s different the club he plays, different expectation on every game. Bissouma, when you change the club you need to understand quickly the moment.”
“Sometimes when you play every game then you start to be a player that gives rotation to you team it’s not easy for Bissouma, but for all the players.”
“You have to understand what is your position in the team and what the team needs from you. Not in every club is the same. Maybe Biss needed time. At the moment we are happy with him, he’s a player we can use in every game.”
Stellini is right. Yves Bissouma hasn’t looked like the dynamic player that he was during his time with the Seagulls. He doesn’t seem very confident on the ball and looks scared of taking risks when the team is on the attack.
It’s fine, though. This is his first season at Tottenham and he still has three-and-a-half years left on his deal at N17 (Transfermarkt). He will come good – hopefully. All we have to do is stay patient.
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There is also Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp waiting to make their mark and explode onto the scene. Hence, we have some options to provide depth but it still won’t be a bad idea to go out and get a proven world-class name in the middle of the park.
