Tottenham Hotspur He has struggled with injuries so far in the 2024/25 season. Their turbulent run in recent weeks has coincided with physical fitness throughout the squad, and they have struggled to find their form. Mainly, the Lilywhites had it Poor availability in the heart of defenceAnd now all four senior centre-backs are out injured.
In fact, this had a knock-on effect on other positions in the team. One of these areas is in midfield, with the likes of Archie Gray having to fill in at centre-back. Yves Bissouma He is another player who had to play in an unfamiliar position, and his season was full of real ups and downs.
Bissouma season 2024/25 so far
It has been a very difficult campaign so far for Malian midfielder Bissouma. At the beginning of the season it was He was suspended by the club for one match for a disciplinary matter.
The 28-year-old has been in and out of the first team this season, though Played 14 times In the Premier League, only seven started.
His 833 minutes equates to just 9.25 of a full 90-minute match in the Premier League. That includes two goals, one of which came in a 4-0 win over Everton in his second game back.
The midfielder is now entering his third season at the Lilywhites after moving from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. £25 million advancewith a further £10m in potential add-ons. Overall, he has He managed 77 matches For the club and never became first choice.
It has been a difficult time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Bissouma so far, and it may not get any easier. They have been linked with a new target in midfield who could eventually replace Mali in the team.
Tottenham midfield goal
The player in question here is Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli. According to a report from Caught Offside Earlier this week, Tottenham were “in the best position to move the Italian star to the English capital” this winter.
The Old Lady star is worth £21m and is also a target for Tottenham's London rivals Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace. However, North Londoners are set to pull them out of the water.
Under new Juve coach Thiago Motta, the 23-year-old has not been a decisive player, and although he has featured on occasion, he has never secured a starting place. Fagioli did Played 18 times In all competitions, it is only 758 minutes long. This equates to 8.42 full 90-minute matches.
It has not been an easy journey for young people over the past few years. It was Suspended from football for seven months In October 2023 due to gambling, but he showed great character to return to the Italian squad for the 2024 European Championship.
Overall, he has 64 matches for Juventus He has three goals under his belt including one against Inter in 2022/23.
However, despite the difficult times, there is no denying Fagioli's talent. Described as a “diamond” By OptaThe midfielder is a hardworking and progressive player. He is statistically similar to the Arsenal midfielder Declan Ricewith the husband Comparable on FBref.
In fact, in possession, both midfielders are very advanced, more so than Bissouma. The Italian averages 6.45 progressive passes per game, with Rice in first place with 6.69 and Bissouma last with just 6.09.
Off the ball, the Juve star ranks higher than both and averages 5.32 ball recoveries per game. Comparatively, an Arsenal player averages 5.19 ball recoveries, while a Tottenham midfielder averages less, at 5.11 per game.
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Compare key stats of Fagioli, Rice and Bissouma |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
State (per 90) |
Bean |
rice |
Bissouma |
|
Progressive passes |
6.45 |
6.69 |
6.09 |
|
It passes to the last third |
5.81 |
4.51 |
4.78 |
|
Holds progressivism |
3.06 |
3.08 |
1.3 |
|
Receipt success rate |
66.7% |
42.9% |
37.5% |
|
Retrieve the ball |
5.32 |
5.19 |
5.11 |
|
Statistics from FBref |
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Signing Fagioli could be an excellent deal for Tottenham. Not only is he an upgrade over Bissouma, he is younger and would be a good investment for the future as well.
“Quality talent” – as Described by Jacek Kulig – could be their response to Rice, as Angie Postecoglou He is looking to strengthen his midfield and try to turn around his team's fortunes this season.
