YVES BISSOUMA is loving playing under father-figure Ange Postecoglou already as he looks to put his nightmare maiden Spurs season behind him.
The Malian was signed last summer by Antonio Conte from Brighton for £25million.
But he was no favourite son of the Italian, who regularly overlooked the midfielder when he was available.
Bissouma’s progress was also hindered by contracting Covid during Spurs’ pre-season tour to South Korea last summer and then sustaining a stress fracture to his ankle in February which kept him out for almost three months.
In the end he made just ten Premier League starts but looks set to be a major figure under new boss Postecoglou.
Speaking of the Australian, Bissouma said: “He gives us confidence.
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“He’s like a Dad, uncle, friend for us so we’re happy to be with him and we’re trying to do what he wants.
“He comes to his players and talks to us all. That’s really important in the changing room.
“When the gaffer comes and speaks to his players that means everything. You know how we have to do it.
“Last year is last year. I don’t have to talk about last year, it's the past. You have to look forward and focus on the future. I’m trying to work really hard to be ready for the season.”
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Postecoglou, 57, has made it clear to Bissouma during pre-season that he sees the 26-year-old as a key part of his team.
He has also been encouraging the ex-Lille ace to set a good example to the younger players in the squad.
Bissouma started as the deeper of a midfield three that included James Maddison and Oliver Skipp in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham at Perth's Optus Stadium.
The smart money would be on that trio starting in the curtain-raiser at Brentford on August 13, particularly with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg likely to have been sold by then.
Bissouma almost scored a beautiful team goal that involved a clever Harry Kane dummy against the Hammers in what was an exciting sign of the type of football to come under Postecoglou.
And while he enjoys his new, responsible role at the base of midfield, the African claims he would play anywhere for his new boss.
Bissouma added: “The coach can ask me to play right-back, left-back, centre-back. In my head I’m ready to play every position for my team.
“But I’m happy to play the way I played against West Ham. I really like it.”
On new £40m new-boy Maddison, Bissouma added: “Everyone knows he’s an amazing player.
“We know he’s going to help us a lot with his experience. We’re confident with him.
“We’re trying to push him like we push each other. He’s a really good guy."
Another of Spurs’ new signings, Manor Solomon, caught the eye against West Ham, as Spurs hit 30 shots but somehow ended up on the losing side.
The Israeli joined on a free from Shakhtar Donetsk, turning down the possibility to sign permanently for Fulham where he spent last season on loan.
Solomon, 23, explained: “I had an amazing time at Fulham. I had a really good bond with the fans and Fulham, from the first moment, they were really kind to me.
“They really loved me and welcomed me from the first moment.
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“But when you have the opportunity to come to a big club like Spurs, and if the manager wants you, it’s really hard to say, ‘No’.
“So immediately when I heard about Spurs, I wanted to come here."
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