The Untold Story: Yves Bissouma Reveals the Secret Behind Harry Kane, Inspirational Son, and the Profound Impact of Ange Postecoglou

Yves Bissouma's performance in the Premier League last weekend was unparalleled, with more touches and successful take-ons than any other player. Manager Ange Postecoglou described it as "superb," while former Spurs striker Clive Allen hailed it as "outstanding."

Bissouma, the Malian international, purposefully positioned himself in the center of the action, unlike his previous season under Antonio Conte. Conte openly acknowledged that Bissouma had difficulty coping with his tactical requirements.

Now, fast forward a year, Tottenham is ushering in a new era. This era is marked by the absence of Harry Kane but also heralds new strategies, philosophies, and personnel.

The Bissouma to Spurs transfer always seemed like a perfect fit. Additionally, during that same window, the club made smart business moves by signing Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, and Cristian Romero. However, achieving consistency under former boss Conte proved to be challenging.

Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United

Saturday 19th August 5:00pm

Kick off 5:30pm

Having made just 10 Premier League starts for Spurs last season, Bissouma's playing time was hindered by a three-month ankle injury. However, now fully recovered and back in action, the 26-year-old is overflowing with self-assurance, expressing his readiness to wholeheartedly dedicate himself to the team's mission.

Introducing Bissouma 2.0 - a dynamic and poised presence, with a mission to support the team and revive a club striving to awaken from a prolonged period of aimlessness.

Sitting down for an exclusive interview with We, the midfielder burst into a meeting room at Tottenham's Enfield Training Centre, exuding energy, and holding a refreshing fruit smoothie. It was evident from the start what his goal for the upcoming season is.

"I'm completely focused on achieving victory. We put in relentless effort each day to win matches. In every circumstance, I strive to emerge as the winner, in every single game," he expressed, reflecting on the disappointment of only securing a point in last weekend's thrilling opener against Brentford.

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Yves Bissouma acknowledges the support from Emerson Royal after Tottenham equalized against Brentford. "Although we dominated the game, we were unable to secure the victory. Therefore, I don't find reasons to celebrate. However, I do value those who acknowledge my good performance," he remarked, alluding to his recognition as the 'player of the match.'

Bissouma is already reaping the benefits of Postecoglou's attacking approach, characterized by aggressive and fast ball movement. In the first game alone, the influential midfielder had an impressive 138 touches in the midfield, the highest number he has reached in a Premier League match since his debut for Brighton in August 2019.

To further emphasize this, Bissouma excelled in the opening weekend by completing the most successful opposition half passes (81) and delivering the highest number of passes ending in the final third. So, what has caused this significant improvement?

He added, "Personally, I am someone who cherishes the pleasure of life. I prefer to remain laid-back, allowing myself ample time to fulfill tasks with excellence - this philosophy applies to my approach in football as well. I possess a great deal of self-assurance, which is key.

"The coaching methods employed by our manager during training sessions are truly remarkable. Our team puts in tremendous effort, aiming to maintain ball possession and diligently working on refining this aspect. Our manager emphasizes the importance of ball possession."

Bissouma demonstrates a fearlessness when it comes to taking on responsibility. His ability to transition from defense to offense is commendable, especially in challenging situations where he is tightly marked by opposing players. An excellent example of this occurred on the previous Sunday when he received the ball near the edge of the penalty area. With a skillful touch, he effortlessly evaded Christian Norgaard and then cleverly avoided Yoane Wissa's attempted tackle, allowing Spurs to quickly launch a counterattack.

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"I don't have pressure, I'm very calm, I just try to think 'what's next'," Bissouma continued, somewhat uncomfortable with talking about his individual performance in isolation.

"I am not a player for Bissouma FC, but rather I proudly represent Tottenham," he stated, accompanied by a subtle smirk. "All my actions and thoughts revolve around my team and the unity formed with my teammates. I relentlessly strive to achieve greatness and maintain a leading position in every match.

"The Premier League demands humility before each game, as they all possess their unique challenges. Thus, my focus lies in consistently delivering outstanding performances, one game at a time."

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Yves Bissouma swiftly escapes from two Brentford players while in possession of the ball. The discussion then shifts towards Postecoglou, who symbolizes a complete departure from the pragmatic styles of Jose Mourinho and Conte. Instead, it embraces the traditional ethos of entertaining and attacking football.

"He is more approachable, exhibiting a tranquil demeanor and engaging in extensive communication with his players," Bissouma expresses, when prompted to delineate the characteristics of the recently-appointed individual in charge.

"He embodies the qualities of a friend, a father figure, and an uncle, assuming multiple roles within the team. His disposition is extremely relaxed, devoid of any undue stress placed upon his players. Rather, he simply aims to convey his expectations. Personally, I regard him as an exceptional personality and an extraordinary coach."

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Ange Postecoglou praised Bissouma for his outstanding performance against Brentford. Now, under Postecoglou's management and with an exhilarating style of play aimed at captivating even the most skeptical segment of Spurs' passionate fanbase, what are the anticipated outcomes?

We deserve more as a strong team and prestigious club. It is the perfect moment to showcase Tottenham's capabilities and reach the top. Achieving this is a challenging task due to the competitiveness of the Premier League, but we are not afraid. We are prepared.

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"Things remain unchanged. Harry stands as a true legend. I hold a great deal of admiration for him. I extend my gratitude to Harry. I sincerely wish him the very best as he truly deserves it. I distinctly remember watching him on TV during my younger days, and the privilege of sharing the same changing room with him was truly awe-inspiring."

Of course, we will surely miss a legend like him. However, now that he has departed, our wishes for his success takes precedence as we shift our focus towards ourselves. In football, possessing character grants the ability to assume a leadership role. True leadership goes beyond mere words.

Fortunately, we have someone like Sonny who serves as the epitome for all of us. Through his attitude and demeanor, it is evident that we should emulate his path. If we choose to follow Sonny, we are assured of treading a favorable and fruitful course.

The Bissouma who debuted in the 2023/24 season is unrecognizable to Spurs fans, as he assisted Oliver Skipp in defensive duties and contributed to James Maddison's creativity. The performance was impressive and seemed as if Bissouma had finally understood his role in the team.

"I can't claim this is the best version of Bissouma," he stated, responding to inquiries about whether his display for Brentford showcased his full potential. He intentionally omitted the word 'yet'.

If there is more to come, it should excite those within the club and concern those outside. He has impressed visually. Now, it is crucial to determine if Spurs have truly unleashed the immense potential of one of the most promising midfield talents in the Premier League.

Watch Tottenham take on Manchester United live on We Premier League on Saturday from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm