24 September 2023 , 07:47
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Yves Bissouma could be a key figure for Spurs in Sunday's huge derby clash with Arsenal - even if things didn't start too well for him under Ange Postecoglou.
The Mali midfielder joined the club in the summer of 2022 when Antonio Conte was in charge, but struggled to consistently impress after his £30 million move from Brighton.
But Bissouma has impressed so far thus season, and started the dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United last week. And a marker of his involvement is that prior to this weekend, he was joint top of the standings for the most interceptions in the Premier League.
His new found form could perhaps be in part attributed his dedication to being first at training. That trait however, has only come about after a dressing down from his Australian boss.
On the first day of pre-season, Bissouma was seemingly urged by Postecoglou to become a leader in the dressing room. The former Lille man responded by failing to report for a session on time the next day.
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“That day I had a little problem with my car. I had a flat tyre and there was a lot of traffic, too," he told . “It’s not an excuse, every player knows you have to be on time. I arrived late, he caught me. I said sorry and I told him why.
“He said, ‘If you want to be a leader or a big player you need to be on time and respect all the details of the club’. It’s about respect, that’s really important. We fixed it. I told him and the players I was sorry. And now I’m always the first at training.”
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Indeed, it is fair to say that few players in the white half of north London are doubting the methods of Postecoglou right now. After starting up with a draw with Brentford, it's four straight Premier League wins for his side ahead of the clash with the Gunners.
And Bissouma also credited the ex-Celtic boss with giving him the freedom to express himself, adding: “He said, ‘Just be you and play the football we want to see and the football everyone wants to see because you have a lot you can do. I give you all my confidence and the rest is up to you’.”
Arsenal too lie on 13 points, with both sides looking to close the gap to Manchester City back to two. Bissouma was a second half substitute in the last meeting between the two rivals, when under Conte, Spurs laboured to a 2-0 defeat.