Yves Bissouma: Revealing the Untold Bond with Harry Kane, Inspiration from Captain Son, and the Profound Impact of Ange Postecoglou

Yves Bissouma's performance in the Premier League last weekend was unmatched, as he had the highest number of touches and successful take-ons among all players. Manager Ange Postecoglou expressed his admiration by describing it as "superb" after the thrilling 2-2 draw against Brentford. Clive Allen, former Spurs striker, also praised Bissouma, calling his display "outstanding."

Bissouma, the Malian midfielder, made a conscious effort to position himself in the center of the game, a feat he struggled to accomplish during his time under Antonio Conte last season. Conte openly acknowledged that Bissouma had difficulties adapting to his tactical requirements.

Bypassing a year, Tottenham is now embarking on a fresh era, wherein they bid farewell to Harry Kane but welcome new strategies, ideologies, and individuals.

Bissouma's move to Spurs seemed like a perfect fit. The club also made some clever signings in the same window, including Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, and Cristian Romero. However, maintaining consistency under former boss Conte proved to be a challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United

Saturday 19th August 5:00pm

Kick off 5:30pm

Having been limited to just 10 Premier League starts for Spurs last season, Bissouma's playing time was hampered by a three-month ankle injury. However, the 26-year-old is now fully recovered and filled with self-assurance, expressing his determination to go above and beyond for the team.

Introducing Bissouma 2.0 - a dynamic and poised personality with a mission to support the team and revitalize a club determined to awaken from a prolonged period of aimlessness.

During an exclusive interview with We, the energetic midfielder walked into a meeting room at Tottenham's Enfield Training Centre holding a refreshing fruit smoothie. From the beginning, it was evident that his goal for the upcoming season is to achieve success.

"My main focus is winning. We put in a lot of effort each day to secure victories. I aim to win in every situation and every game," he expressed, expressing disappointment over the fact that last weekend's thrilling match against Brentford resulted in only a draw.

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Yves Bissouma acknowledged the accolades for his performance, although he refrained from celebrating due to Tottenham's inability to secure a victory despite their control of the game. He expressed gratitude towards those who recognized his contributions, specifically mentioning the 'player of the match' award.

Following just one game, Bissouma is already reaping the rewards of Postecoglou's attacking approach, which focuses on aggressive and purposeful ball movement. Positioned as the influential No 8, he impressively accumulated 138 touches in the midfield, marking his highest record in a Premier League game since his debut for Brighton in August 2019.

To emphasize further, Bissouma stood out during the opening weekend with his exceptional performance. He surpassed all other players by completing 81 successful passes in the opposition half, as well as delivering more passes that concluded in the final third. Consequently, one may question what factors have contributed to this notable transformation.

He stated, "I am someone who truly enjoys life. I have a laid-back approach and take my time to accomplish tasks effectively. This sentiment carries over to football, where I maintain high self-assurance, which is crucial.

"The training sessions, under the guidance of our manager, are remarkable. We put in immense effort and focus on retaining possession of the ball – our manager emphasizes this aspect."

Bissouma is clearly not one to avoid responsibility. He excels at transforming defensive situations into offensive ones, especially when he is in close quarters with opposing players and limited breathing room.

A notable example of this took place last Sunday. Bissouma received the ball on the outskirts of the penalty area and skillfully maneuvered past Christian Norgaard with a delicate touch. He then evaded an oncoming Yoane Wissa's tackle with another agile move, allowing Tottenham Hotspur to quickly initiate their attack.

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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 a player for Tottenham, not Bissouma FC," he stated with a sly grin. "Every action I take, I consider my team and my fellow teammates. I dedicate myself to performing at my best in every match.

"In the Premier League, boasting before games is futile. Each game has its own unique challenges. Mentally, I am focused on consistently delivering impressive performances game after game."

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Yves Bissouma skillfully evades two Brentford players as he dashes forward with the ball. The discussion shifts to Postecoglou, who embodies a complete departure from the pragmatic styles of Mourinho and Conte, marking a revival of the conventional philosophy of captivating, attacking football.

"He is much more approachable. He exudes a sense of serenity and engages in extensive conversations with his players," remarks Bissouma, elucidating the characteristics of the recently appointed leader.

"He assumes the roles of a close friend, a nurturing father figure, and a supportive uncle all at once. He effortlessly embodies these various personas. He maintains a remarkably calm demeanor, never burdening his players with unnecessary pressure. Instead, he simply communicates his desires to us. Personally, I find him to be an incredible individual and an exceptional coach."

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What is the expectation now, with Postecoglou at the helm and his captivating style of football that aims to win over even the most skeptical portion of Tottenham Hotspur's critical fanbase?

"We deserve more, we are an exceptional team and a significant club. It is now the ideal moment to demonstrate to people that Tottenham should be at the pinnacle. This is our objective, but it is not simple due to the intense nature of the Premier League. Nevertheless, we are not intimidated, we are prepared."

Being prepared is one aspect, but delivering on such a promise is an entirely different matter. Tottenham has indeed lost their key player this summer, as Kane has chosen to pursue the trophies his illustrious career truly deserves at Bayern Munich. Are the players mourning this loss? Far from it, Bissouma acknowledges that the dressing room will miss the presence of the "legendary" Harry, but for those who remain in north London, it is business as usual.

"Harry remains an iconic figure, and I hold him in the highest regard. I am genuinely grateful for his contribution. I sincerely hope that only positive outcomes come his way. Witnessing his performances on television during my youth, being able to share a changing room with him was truly awe-inspiring.

We will definitely miss a legend like him, but now that he has departed, our focus is on wishing him the best and on ourselves. In the realm of football, having character is what makes someone a leader, not just words alone.

Sonny serves as our finest role model. His attitude and demeanor make it clear that following his path is the right choice. If you choose to follow in Sonny's footsteps, you know you are on the right track.

The Bissouma that appeared in the 2023/24 season was a version unseen by Spurs fans. He not only assisted in Oliver Skipp's defensive duties but also contributed to James Maddison's creativity. The performance was seamless and refined, as if the midfielder had finally reached his full potential.

"I wouldn't claim that it's Bissouma's best," he firmly stated when asked if his performance against Brentford was his peak. He purposely omitted the word 'yet'.

If there is indeed more to expect, this should generate excitement among those involved in the club, while also causing concern for those on the outside.

He has proven himself visually. It is now the moment of truth to determine whether Spurs have truly tapped into the full 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