Player Profile: Yves Bissouma

Full Name: Rodrigo Bentancur Colmán

Age: 27 (as of 2024)

Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Position: Central Midfielder

National Team: Mali

Characteristics

Strengths

Ball Recovery: Bissouma excels in regaining possession, showcasing an impressive ability to intercept and tackle.

Athleticism: His physical attributes are a significant asset, contributing to his stamina and ability to cover much of the midfield area.

Passing and Transition Play: Effective at transitioning play from defense to attack, Bissouma has a keen eye for a pass and can launch counter-attacks with his accurate distribution.

Weaknesses

Discipline: Occasionally prone to committing fouls due to his aggressive style of play.

Consistency in Offensive Output: While he has the skills to contribute offensively, his impact in the final third can be inconsistent.

Style of Play

Offensive Contributions: Bissouma is known more for his role in build-up play rather than direct offensive contributions. He can drive forward with the ball and help in maintaining possession in the midfield.

Defensive Role: Defensively, he is robust, often acting as a shield in front of the backline. His ability to break up opposition attacks is crucial for his team.

Performance

Offensively: While not a frequent scorer, his ability to control the tempo and create plays makes him an integral part of the team’s midfield machinery.

Defensively: His primary strength lies in his defensive work, where he regularly disrupts opposition plays and helps maintain the team’s structure.

National Team Contributions

Bissouma is an important player for the Mali national team, where he often plays a similar role, anchoring the midfield and providing both defensive stability and transition support.

Contract Status

Current Contract Ends: 2026

Contract Details: Bissouma’s current contract with Tottenham Hotspur will keep him at the club until 2026. His role in the team and his future at the club could be influenced by ongoing performances and managerial decisions.

Yves Bissouma’s robust midfield presence and defensive capabilities make him a vital asset to Tottenham Hotspur and the Mali national team. His ability to control the midfield and provide a defensive barrier contributes significantly to the dynamics of his team’s play. As he continues his career at Tottenham, his development and adaptation to different tactical setups will be crucial in defining his impact and longevity at the top level.

Performance During 2023–2024 Season

Yves Bissouma had a significant and impactful 2023–2024 season with Tottenham Hotspur, playing a crucial role in the midfield. His performances were characterized by his defensive solidity, ball recovery skills, and ability to maintain possession under pressure.

Bissouma featured in 35 matches across all competitions for Tottenham, with 29 appearances in the Premier League. His presence in the midfield was vital for Spurs, especially in matches where maintaining control and breaking up opposition plays were critical. Bissouma’s defensive contributions were substantial, with an average of 2.3 tackles per 90 minutes and numerous key interceptions that helped stabilize Tottenham’s defense.

One of his standout performances came in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United, where he was instrumental in both breaking up the opposition’s attacks and initiating counter-attacks for his team. His match rating of 8.3 in this game reflected his dominance in midfield, showcasing his ability to control the game’s tempo and disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.

Despite his strong performances, Bissouma’s season was not without challenges. He accumulated nine yellow cards and two red cards throughout the season, which resulted in multiple suspensions and impacted his availability for several key matches. His discipline on the field was an area that required improvement, but his overall contribution to the team’s defensive efforts remained invaluable.

Bissouma’s ability to maintain possession and distribute the ball effectively was another highlight of his season. He achieved a pass completion rate of 92%, demonstrating his reliability in retaining the ball and supporting Tottenham’s build-up play from the back. His physicality and work rate ensured that he was often at the heart of Spurs’ defensive and transitional phases.

Overall, Yves Bissouma’s 2023–2024 season was marked by his defensive resilience, ability to recover possession, and significant contributions in key matches. While his disciplinary record indicated areas for improvement, his performances underscored his importance to Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield and highlighted his potential to be a crucial player for the club in future seasons.