Conte sets return date for tactically prepared Bissouma

Antonio Conte feels that Yves Bissouma will finally be ready to make his mark at Tottenham after the upcoming international break.

The Malian has struggled for minutes since his £25million move from Brighton, starting only one of the club’s opening eight matches and failing to be used off the bench during Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Sporting Lisbon.

While the 26-year-old is likely to be named among the substitutes for the clash with Leicester on Saturday, Conte has explained Bissouma’s slow start at Spurs and also promised he will be used more during a seven-week spell from October 1 where they will play 12 times in the Premier League and Champions League.

“The only (new) player that is struggling a bit with the tactical aspect is Bissouma. But also he is improving a lot in every aspect, so I am sure when we start again and play 12 games, for sure he is another player I can count on,” Conte said.

“When you have the possibility to work, to have more time, especially with new players, you can bring all the players into our idea of football.

“For sure in this first part of the season I wanted to play with the old players. Because they knew very well which is our idea of football. But now I think we are doing good steps with Richy, with Clement (Lenglet) and with Ivan Perisic.

“With Bissouma, we are trying to accelerate this process, but for sure when you arrive in a team well organised with an idea of football, you need a bit of time to go into this idea of football.