Yves Bissouma was always heading towards a departure from Tottenham this summer.
Tottenham fans thought Bissouma had transformed at the start of the 2023/24 season. The Mali international had struggled to reach his full potential since signing from Brighton in 2022.
But even Ange Postecoglou could not divert Bissouma from his on and off-field antics. As a result, an exit was always on the cards before 1 September.
And Thomas Frank has learned the hard way why Spurs have been keen to sell the midfielder.
This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.
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Bissouma in the squad to face Burnley
Bissouma was not named in the squad which saw Tottenham defeated by PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final.
The Spurs gaffer mentioned before the confrontation that the defensive midfielder had been sidelined due to disciplinary reasons.
Joao Palhinha’s arrival was meant to confirm Bissouma’s departure. But several days later and he looks to be in the squad to face Burnley in Tottenham’s Premier League opener.
However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Bissouma will still leave this summer.
“Frank has already said that he’s going to be back in the squad for Burnley,” Wenham said.
“I still expect him to go as well. I think the fact that we are seeing Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur form this partnership and holding to the evolution of Pape Matar Sarr, seems the old man out.”
What went wrong for Bissouma at Tottenham?
There was a fleeting moment in the Super Cup final where Spurs supporters may have wondered what the outcome would have been if Bissouma had been substituted on rather than Archie Gray.
But his inconsistency and work ethic make that scenario difficult to imagine. These are mainly the reasons why he’s struggled to succeed at Spurs.
From his minimal participation in pre-season games to being sidelined for the final, it is clear he is not in Frank’s plans.
As a result, it is almost pointless to continue to have the defender on the books. With a couple of weeks until the window closes, Tottenham should look to secure his next club.