Tim Sherwood has claimed that Rodrigo Bentacur is being ‘very restricted’ by Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur, as he told Premier League Productions (24/10/22 at 2:15 pm).
The former Spurs boss added that Rodrigo Bentancur has more to his game than the defensive-minded midfielder has already shown during his time at the club.
On Sunday, Bentancur played in the middle of the park alongside Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma as the Lilywhites suffered a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
During his time under Conte, the 25-year-old has regularly played alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a midfield two.
It’s the job of Tottenham’s front three and their wing-backs to do the talking in the final third, whilst the midfield two provide that defensive cover and don’t motor forward as much, unless Conte goes with a three.
It has been nearly 12 months since Bentancur has been in north London, and judging by what he’s seen, Sherwood thinks there is more to his game.
“I think Bentancur, for instance, has got a lot more than what he is being asked to do,” said Sherwood. “He is being very restricted.
“Hojbjerg wasn’t playing (against Newcastle) and Oliver Skipp comes into there. Bissouma was in there as well. I think they just need to let them do what they are good at.”
BENTANCUR HAS FLAIR
When Bentancur is on the ball, especially when picking the ball up from deep, he has showcased bravery and the ability to carry the ball forward.
The £22 million star (Sky Sports) might not do it as much as Spurs fans would like, but is that the player himself or what he is being asked to do?
As he proved against Everton recently, when he is allowed to motor forward, then he has the ability to make the ball talk because it was his cross that found Hojbjerg on the edge of the box that added a second goal for his side against the Toffees.
But, at the end of the day, with Conte seemingly holding back his midfielders, it’s allowing the rest, such as the wing-backs and forward three to shine, so whilst they do the dirty work and the rest of them get the rewards.
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