Yves Bissouma opens up on Ange Postecoglou relationship after difficult Tottenham season

Yves Bissouma has opened up on his relationship with Ange Postecoglou after a season that has brought its fair share of difficulties for the Tottenham midfielder but could yet end with glory.

The 28-year-old began the campaign with a one-game club suspension after filming himself using nitrous oxide with that footage appearing on social media. then struggled to impose himself with a regular starting spot this season, losing his place to teenager and has only started 16 Premier League matches for this campaign.

However, Bergvall's ankle injury this month opened the door for the Mali international to return to the side and the midfielder impressed in both semi-final legs against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League and will now likely start in Bilbao on Wednesday night in the final against Manchester United.

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"It’s always a pleasure to be back and playing. Football is everything for me. To be playing is something special for me. I have to take every opportunity like I did in the last European game, so I’m happy," Bissouma told football.london.

The midfielder was speaking at Hotspur Way after a recovery session, wearing Crocs that bore the letters "YB8" on the right foot and "SOG" on the other.

"Son of God," he explained before adding: "I am a very religious person. I learned from my family."

Bissouma has previously referred to as feeling like family and he laughed when we asked him about his manager's claim that the two men had spoken last month and he'd told the midfielder of his strong feeling that he would end up having a crucial part to play in the season's final weeks - something that has come to pass.

"Yes, of course [I can remember it]. He said everything already, but yes as a player, it’s really important to stay involved with the team because you don’t know when the team will need you, so you have to work hard to be ready. That’s why we are here as professionals," he said.

Bissouma was only too happy to speak about his relationship with the Australian after a season in which it could easily have been strained by the lack of football and that pre-season spot of bother.

"It’s never changed. Never changed. We have a good relationship. Like I said, he’s like a dad or uncle for us. He’s always trying to make us understand what he really wants," he said. "For us, he’s Ange, he’s him. He’s got his idea. He’s trying to help us every time. It’s not easy (the style of play), especially at the start. We have to stick together like what we're doing and that’s what we’re doing."

He added: "He’s always protecting us. Every game, when we lose or win. Like I said, he’s got a top mentality. He understands football. He knows it’s up and down. He never blames players. To have a coach like him is something. At the same time, with him, we are working hard. We want to improve every game and every training session because it’s really important for us and the club. We’re all here for the club, for the same reason. It’s necessary to be together."

While Bissouma did not want to go into the details of that early suspension this season, he opened up on those who have helped him get through such tough moments this season.

"Everyone, and yourself as well, as a professional. You have to understand that football is up and down. In the hard moments, you have to be strong," he said. "You have to stay strong because it’s not easy. The most important thing for us is we're here to learn. That's why we train every day to be ready for the game."

So have the Tottenham fans seen the best of Bissouma yet since his arrival from Brighton in the summer of 2022?

"Of course there’s more to come. We are always here for learning, I’m still learning. This season has been hard for me because I didn’t play much," he said. "The most important thing is if the team does good. I’m here to work and when my time comes, I play. As a professional, you have to be ready.

"You have to understand it’s not just yourself – you are part of a group. You can’t control things sometimes. The only thing I know is, you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That’s what I’m always trying to do."

All eyes are now on Wednesday night's final in Bilbao for Bissouma and the Tottenham players.

"We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup because for us, it’s really important. It’s an important game for us. As a player, it’s not coming every season," said the midfielder. "For the club, for the fans, it’s something special."

A look behind the scenes at Spurs ahead of the Europa League final. to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham!