Glenn Hoddle says there is ‘more to come’ from midfielder Yves Bissouma despite Tottenham Hotspur falling to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.
With Rodrigo Bentancur still on the sidelines post-World Cup, Antonio Conte opted to give his summer signing a start, but he failed to produce the goods in the middle of the park.
When Spurs secured Bissouma’s services from Brighton, many felt that it was a top, top deal from the London club given what he had produced under Graham Potter at the Amex Stadium.
But the 26-year-old hasn’t been able to get ahead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur – when fit – in a Spurs shirt.
It doesn’t help matters that Conte is watching his players concede the first goal time and time again, most recently proving to be costly in their race to secure Champions League football again.
But Bissouma himself has been a part of that, although, Hoddle is remaining optimistic about the player, as he told MatchDay Extra on Premier League Productions (01/01/23 at 7:25 pm).
“When you see Bissouma at Brighton, he was outstanding,” said Hoddle. “There’s more to come from that lad. There is no doubt about it.”
TOTTENHAM’S MIDFIELD
Creativity. That’s the keyword at Hotspur Way and a raging topic amongst Spurs fans because there is a clear lack of it.
Actually, it depends on how you view it. Is there a lack of it or are Conte’s tactics not bringing that creative side out of his players?
Some are even pointing towards the team selections and how players like Djed Spence should be given a start because of Tottenham’s lack of attacking quality on the right flank.
Whilst Tottenham’s midfield will be criticised for not having that creative side, the two usual suspects in midfield – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur – are still top-quality performers, especially the latter.
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