Anchors: 4.5/5
Just as his home country of Mali redefined itself during decolonization, so has Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma during the 23-24 Premier League season. Just as the Republic of Mali harkens back to Mansa Musa’s famous Mali Empire, Bissouma harkens back to the legendary play of Pochettino’s Moussa Dembélé. Just as Ibn Battuta preached of Mali’s extravagance in The Rihla, so too do the streets whisper about Bissouma’s recaptured sublimity. There is a renaissance in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it is the start of something special.
Bouncing back from a 22-23 season riddled with injury and bound by Antonio Conte’s rigid tactics, there is no hint of the player whom Antonio Conte described as “struggling…with the tactical aspect.” Ange Postecoglou’s system requires a number of things: inverted full-backs, wide wingers and a center forward that can operate high up with few touches. But Bissouma has the one attribute that truly makes Ange-ball tick: bravery. Central to Tottenham’s buildup is the art of creating artificial transitions while holding possession of the ball. This requires technical skill, awareness, but most of all, bravery. Rather than playing the safe pass, Bissouma waits on the ball, draws the press and only then he utilizes his elite ball-carrying and awareness to play not out of, but through pressure, leaving the opposition shape disorganized and vulnerable.
Many teams flinch under pressure (i.e. Jorginho vs Tottenham last month), but Bissouma is so special because he just doesn’t care. An undisturbed leaf in the midst of a hurricane, he is so exceptional not just because he breathes life into the pitch, but because he balances it too with unwavering composure. For as long as he keeps his cool, there is no limit for Tottenham Hotspur.
