Yves Bissouma has been sidelined since sustaining an injury while on international duty with Mali in October, which saw him stretchered off and later undergo surgery.
The midfielder’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, leaving Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank awaiting further updates on his condition.
Since Frank’s appointment, Bissouma has struggled for minutes, with Lucas Bergvall and Joao Palhinha emerging as the coach’s preferred midfield duo.
Despite his absence, Spurs have continued to perform well, most recently thrashing FC Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League.
Still, Bissouma could prove valuable for Frank, especially with concerns surrounding Rodrigo Bentancur’s inconsistent form.
Bissouma was injured just seven minutes after being introduced in Mali’s friendly against Madagascar, with reports suggesting a ligament problem in his ankle.
Although details remain limited, footage of the incident prompted injury specialist Dr. Rajpal Brar to comment that the midfielder’s recovery depends on the “specifics” of the ligament affected, stating: “It could be anything from a few weeks to months.”
That uncertainty leaves Bissouma’s immediate future at Spurs in doubt.
The former Brighton man played a key role under Ange Postecoglou, where his ability to progress the ball from deep was a crucial part of Tottenham’s midfield structure.
However, with Frank yet to use him and competition for places fierce, his road back into the team looks challenging.
Bissouma’s spell on the sidelines could not have come at a worse time.
Having already been linked with a potential move away from north London since Frank’s arrival, the injury has only complicated his position further.
Once fit, the midfielder may find himself having to prove his worth again or risk being sold as Tottenham look to streamline the squad.
Last season, Bissouma made 28 Premier League appearances and featured 10 times in the Europa League, scoring twice and helping Spurs lift the Europa League title.
His contributions highlighted the talent that initially earned him a move to N17.
For now, the hope is that Bissouma’s recovery will take weeks rather than months, with Tottenham fans eager to see him back on the pitch.
However, if the layoff proves lengthy, there’s a real chance that the Malian international could leave Spurs without making another appearance under Frank.
