Ange Postecoglou publicly criticises Yves Bissouma for string of awful Tottenham games

Yves Bissouma has endured a difficult spell in recent months, struggling for form and slipping down Ange Postecoglou’s midfield hierarchy at Tottenham.

The Malian international was given a chance to impress against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, as Postecoglou rotated his squad following their Europa League fixture against AZ Alkmaar.

However, Bissouma failed to seize the opportunity, leading to yet another early withdrawal.

For the fifth consecutive start, the 28-year-old was substituted at halftime, with Lucas Bergvall replacing him.

This pattern has become a worrying trend, highlighting his struggles to make an impact.

Postecoglou on What He Expects from Bissouma

Postecoglou openly acknowledged that Bissouma has a tendency to drift through games rather than asserting himself in midfield.

The Spurs boss emphasized the need for the former Brighton man to be more dominant in possession and take greater control of matches.

Explaining his decision to replace Bissouma at halftime once again, Postecoglou told Football.London:

“I just feel Biss can sometimes let the game drift by him. He needs to be a little bit more dominant in the way he gets on the ball.

“At times I think the game gets away from him, and today we needed more in that position. I needed him to play because he hasn’t played a lot.

“At the same time, you’ve got to perform. It’s fair to say Biss and a few others are probably lacking a bit of confidence.

That’s affecting him, but we’re at the point of the season now where we need guys to get out there, put those things to one side, and perform.”

Understanding Bissouma’s Struggles

Postecoglou pointed out that Bissouma’s current struggles stem primarily from a lack of confidence rather than a lack of effort.

While acknowledging the midfielder’s dip in form, the Australian coach made it clear that he and his staff are actively working to help him regain his best level.

When asked if he was finding it difficult to get through to Bissouma, Postecoglou dismissed that notion, stating:

“It’s not about getting through to him or a lack of effort. I just think with players, sometimes they go through these spells, and he needs to find a way to break through that. We need to find a way to get that out of him.”

With Tottenham entering a crucial stage of the season, the pressure is mounting on Bissouma to rediscover his form and contribute more decisively to the team’s performances.