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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Yves Bissouma aiming to put difficult start to life at Tottenham behind him after injury return

Yves Bissouma is looking to finish what has been a disappointing first season at Tottenham on a positive note.

The midfielder was hailed as an astute signing over the course of the summer after sealing what looked like a cut-price £25m move from Brighton.

Antonio Conte, however, said the Mali international was struggling to adapt to his style of football back in September as Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur occupied the starting central midfield spots.

The 26-year-old then underwent surgery on an ankle injury in February and Conte ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Still, Bissouma returned to the Spurs matchday squad for last week’s loss at Aston Villa and was even handed 29 minutes on his comeback.

“The last three months were not easy for me, but I worked really hard every day to come back stronger,” he said.

“I feel good physically and I will try to help the team how I can for the last two games. I’m ready to play and, if the coach needs me, I’m here to help my team-mates.”

More can surely be expected from a player who impressed with Brighton as Spurs continue to look for a new manager.

Xabi Alonso is of interest to Spurs, although there are concerns about his lack of experience, and he is rated as an outsider to permanently succeed Conte.

Former Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Tim Steidten, meanwhile, is a contender for the vacant role in north London.

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