Spurs midfielder Bissouma enjoying new lease of life under Postecoglou

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma enjoying new lease of life under ‘uncle’ Ange Postecoglou… as he hails new boss for lifting morale and improving style after Antonio Conte’s dramatic exit

• Yves Bissouma struggled to make an impression in his first season at Spurs
• Ange Postecoglou has stressed to Bissouma that he is a key part of his plans
• The former Brighton midfielder has hailed the Australian’s impact at the club 

Yves Bissouma is relishing a fresh lease of life under Tottenham’s new regime and hailed the avuncular leadership of Ange Postecoglou for reviving morale crushed by a difficult season under Antonio Conte.

‘Uncle Ange’ has already lifted spirits in the camp and paid a little extra attention to Bissouma, making it clear he sees him as a key to his plans and stressing the importance of setting high standards.

‘He gives us confidence,’ said Bissouma. ‘He’s like a dad, uncle, friend for us so we’re happy to be with him and we’re trying to do what he wants.

‘He comes to his players and talks to us all. That’s really important in the changing room. When the gaffer comes and speaks to his players that means everything. You know how we have to do it.’

It is a radical change from Conte’s authoritarian approach, which did not coax the best from Bissouma, who seemed to be something of a transfer coup when he arrived last summer from Brighton for £25million but made little impression in his first Spurs season.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma hopes to put a tough first year at Tottenham behind him

 The 26-year-old suffered an injury-hit campaign after joining from Brighton for £25m

New boss Ange Postecoglou has stressed to Bissouma that he is a key part of his plans

There was an early setback when a positive Covid result entering South Korea on the preseason tour landed him in quarantine for a fortnight, missing vital fitness training and preliminary tactical work under Conte.

Then a stress fracture of an ankle required surgery and ruled him out for three months. He has only started 10 Premier League games for Tottenham. There is scope to improve.

‘Last year is last year,’ said Bissouma. ‘I don’t have to talk about last year. It’s past. You have to look forward and focus on the future. I’m trying to work really hard to be ready for the season.

‘I’m here for the club, for the fans as well. We work hard to have a good result. Like all the players. Not just me. I say thanks to the fans because they give me motivation. They want to push me up. At the same time I’m working hard to do what I have to do.’

Postecoglou deployed him in the centre of his midfield trio in his first game at the helm, a defeat against West Ham in Perth on Tuesday. It is the role where he made his mark at Brighton, although Conte thought he lacked the defensive acumen to protect the centre halves when he was deep in midfield.

Tottenham under Postecoglou, however, promise to be a more adventurous outfit and Bissouma will be vital, especially if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gets the move he wants to Atletico Madrid and Rodrigo Bentancur takes time to recover his best form after a serious knee injury.

‘I really like the way we play,’ said Bissouma after the friendly against West Ham. ‘I really like it. I’m really happy to be back like this, and playing football like this, it’s amazing.’

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