Pascal Chimbonda has given his take on Tottenham youngster Bryan Gil after the Spaniard came off the bench for Spurs on Wednesday night, during their 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon – and he was particularly impressed with him.
A topsy-turvy match, Spurs were woeful in the first half – but much-improved in the second 45. Marcus Edwards returned to Tottenham to give Sporting the lead, lashing an effort into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Spurs lacked any intensity and any attacking edge in the first half. But the second 45 was a different story. Spurs huffed and puffed and eventually got their goal, Rodrigo Bentancur leaped above Antonio Adan to head a corner into the net.
Gil was given his chance on 70 minutes, and he took his chance. Immediately driving at the Sporting defence. His first touch sees him whip a left-footed cross into the box. An impressive cameo that will have convinced Antonio Conte.
Of course, the headlines will be Harry Kane’s incredibly-harsh disallowed goal. A four-minute check by VAR saw Spurs go from elation to despair in the last few seconds. But Chimbonda was very impressed with Gil’s 20-minute outing.
Chimbonda gives take on Tottenham youngster Gil after Sporting draw
It has been a frustrating spell at Tottenham for Gil. Failing to make an impression in his first season after joining for cash plus Erik Lamela, Gil went on loan to Valencia during the second half of last season. He has returned this term.
To play for Conte, you have to have his trust. In the beginning stages of the campaign, he did not have it. But with injuries to Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski, he has got his chance and on Wednesday night, he made an impression.
With Kulusevski and Richarlison expected to be sidelined for Saturday’s clash away at Bournemouth, Gil could feature. Whether or not he can make an impression enough to keep playing when the duo return, remains to be seen.
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