Spurs brought in right wing-back Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon on the transfer deadline, and Michael Dawson claims Yves Bissouma ‘hasn’t stepped up

Spurs brought in right wing-back Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon on the transfer deadline, and Michael Dawson claims Yves Bissouma ‘hasn’t stepped up. When asked about Antonio Conte’s January business, the former Tottenham defender said, “they spent the money in the summer,” referring to the time of year when most of the activity took place.

Well, along with the club-record acquisition of Richarlison, Bissouma was one of a few names added in the summer. While many players left the club during the most recent transfer window, including the shocking release of Matt Doherty, only Arnaut Danjuma and Pedro Porro were brought in.

How do Spurs supporters feel about the team’s January business decisions? And throughout Conte’s whole tenure as a manager? Well, ex-central defender Dawson spoke up, as he told Sky Sports News.

“They spent the money in the summer as well, over £130 million,” said Dawson. 

“That was when they looked to do the business. You can be forced to do something during this window. Bissouma comes in. Richarlison comes in. He (Bissouma) hasn’t stepped up. We all sat on the show on a Saturday afternoon and said ‘how good Bissouma was. Go and sign him, at £25 million, he is a snip’. He needs opportunities. Richarlison was coming in, he came into a front three where you go ‘£60 million?’ He’s been a bit-part player. You start making a squad and you start to think, this should be competitive. Defensively they haven’t been good enough, that’s what it comes down to. Two more (signings) now. Pedro coming in. It’s an improvement, in my opinion. But he has to hit the ground running,” he added.

Despite Bissouma’s previous Premier League experience, he has struggled to find his footing at Hotspur Way since joining Spurs. In order to make steady progress, he requires a series of fresh beginnings at regular intervals.

The problem for the ex-Brighton man is that Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been one of Tottenham’s greatest players, will always be selected by Conte, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has been consistently solid, will never be passed over.