Why Yves Bissouma will be immense for Tottenham Hotspur

Brighton’s Yves Bissouma looks poised to become Tottenham’s third signing of the summer this week, as the all-action midfielder is reportedly due to have a medical at Hotspur Way in the coming days.

Unashamedly, I have watched a fair share of Bissouma compilation videos in the last day, although avid Premier League viewers will be well aware of his talent being one of the breakout stars of last season.

Bissouma certainly has issues off the field, however from a purely footballing perspective, his ability is unquestionable and looks real coup for Spurs.

Bissouma represents good business for Tottenham

The reported fee of £25 million is a bargain for a player of his calibre, but this also represents a real win for Tottenham off the pitch, as in beating Arsenal and Manchester United to his signature shows the attractiveness of our project.

In landing Bissouma, Tottenham has sent a message to our rivals, as in truth I struggle to remember the last time we have signed a ready-made starter from a Premier League side.

Transfermarkt values Bissouma at £31.5 million, however with his contract at Brighton expiring next season, this is perhaps why we have dealt at such a cut-rate price.

At 25, the midfielder is in his prime, appearing 26 times in the league last season, accumulating over 2,000 minutes, and contributing a goal and two assists.

Presuming Lo Celso and N’dombele depart this summer, our senior midfield roster becomes Skipp, Bentancur, Winks, and Hoijberg, so Bissouma represents welcome depth and competition to our current contingent.

Bissouma profiles as an out-and-out defensive midfielder, ranking in the top 15% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues last season for tackles, interceptions, and clearances, but he is also adept with the ball at his feet, ranking in the top 10% for pass completion rate and dribbles per 90.

His numbers speak for themselves, but what’s perhaps more impressive is the continuous praise he’s received this season, acting as the fulcrum of Brighton’s midfield as they secured their highest ever Premier League finish.

Compared to Hoijberg, Skipp, and Bentancur, Bissouma puts up more tackles and interceptions per 90, as well as only being dribbled by 0.6 times a game. The Mali international is also comfortable in possession, completing 1.3 dribbles per 90 across the Premier League last season, bettering any of the Spurs trio.

Bissouma shares similarities with former Spurs man Moussa Dembele, as he is a strong, physical presence yet still technically proficient, and will be a real asset in our midfield next season alongside any of our current options.

For any Spurs fans not sold on Bissouma, they need look no further than our home defeat to Brighton in April, as he dominated our midfield putting in a highly impressive performance for the Seagulls which at the time looked to derail our top-four challenge.

Given the success Conte experienced with the 3-4-2-1 last season, regardless of personnel, our formation is unlikely to change, leaving room for just two central midfielders.

While this may mean some rotation between Hoijberg, Skipp, Bentancur, and Bissouma, there is certainly a strength to be had in squad depth, and as we compete in the league, domestic cups, and the Champions League, having such high quality in the midfield will be paramount.

In truth, this deal looks almost too good to be true, as considering the supposedly £50 million price tag Bissouma was labeled with earlier in the season, securing him for half of that is remarkable.

However, barring any late disasters, it looks as though Bissouma will be a Tottenham player by the end of the week, and we fans can celebrate what on paper looks to be a truly fantastic addition to the team.