In a parallel universe, one of the primary issues undermining Thomas Frank's Tottenham project is alleviated by the sustained presence of Yves Bissouma.
Despite starring in Bilbao as Spurs claimed Europa League glory, there was a sense that the summer was the right time for Bissouma to move on. His 2024/25 campaign ended with an unforgettable night (well, before Brighton put four past us to cap a miserable Premier League season), but the Mali international had struggled throughout the term's duration for any semblance of consistency.
There’s unreal vibes… then there’s Yves Bissouma vibes 🔊😁 pic.twitter.com/45bOVjYUGk
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 22, 2025
Fortunately, we got the very best iteration of Bissouma when it mattered most, and there's no denying that Spurs have sorely lacked the chaotic ingenuity he can supply from the base of midfield since Thomas Frank succeeded Ange Postecoglou as manager.
Bissouma's drift from the limelight is largely his own doing. Ill-discipline forced Frank to leave him out of the UEFA Super Cup squad in August, and his absence has persisted due to multiple injuries. Then, in December, another laughing gas debacle surfaced.
Entering the new year, many suspected we'd already seen the last of the 29-year-old in Lilywhite colours, but it seems as if Frank is in a reconciliatory mood.
Thomas Frank says Yves Bissouma is "available" for West Ham clash
Malians were subject to the full Bissouma experience at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Tottenham man concluding his tournament with a silly sending off in a slender quarter-final defeat to Pape Matar Sarr's Senegal.
Bissouma is thus back at Hotspur Way after a few weeks in Morocco, and Frank has confirmed that the midfielder is "available" for Saturday's Premier League clash against West Ham United.
Whether or not Frank was simply being matter-of-fact regarding Bissouma's status remains to be seen. Still, despite his behaviour in recent months, the door is seemingly open for the 29-year-old to make an unexpected comeback.
Spurs' midfield woes may have altered Frank's thinking. We've lacked courage in the build-up, rarely tried to progress the ball through the centre of the pitch, and thus struggled to serve our young playmakers in attack. These issues have combined for a dire open-play performance with the ball.
Bissouma is no messiah, but he's the furthest thing from cowardly in possession and can break open pressing structures via his creativity in the build-up phase. Spurs need themselves some Yves.
During an impressive 2023/24 campaign, he averaged 7.35 progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. For context, Xavi Simons leads the Tottenham charts in that regard this season with 6.41. The change of manager has had something to do with that, no doubt, but Bissouma is undeniably a profile Spurs have sorely missed under Frank.
Ultimately, the hope for a Bissoumanaissance depicts our sorry desperation and once again brings to light the club's confused midfield construction. This is no long-term solution, but a potential short-term mitigation.