Looking back at last season, Tottenham Hotspur can consider their campaign a relative success. Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, in his debut year with the club, Spurs managed to stabilize their performances and secure a return to European football. However, slipping out of the Champions League places in the final few weeks highlighted that there’s still work to be done.
This season, the Australian manager faces the challenge of pushing Tottenham back into the top four. To achieve this, he will rely heavily on Daniel Levy and the recruitment team to strengthen the squad with the right reinforcements during the summer transfer window. Fortunately, despite already spending £65 million on Dominic Solanke, Spurs appear to be making the necessary moves. One name that has recently emerged as a potential target is Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who could be the perfect upgrade to Yves Bissouma.
According to reports from Italy, Tottenham is interested in securing the services of Locatelli and are allegedly prepared to offer €24 million plus bonuses (approximately £21 million) to convince Juventus to part ways with the player. The good news for Spurs is that Juventus seems open to selling Locatelli for the right price, making this potential deal a realistic one. While the transfer fee is significant, Locatelli’s abilities suggest he could be worth every penny and a substantial upgrade to Bissouma.
How Locatelli Compares to Bissouma
First and foremost, it’s important to note that while Locatelli is versatile enough to play as a central midfielder—having made 76 appearances in that role—he has primarily operated as a defensive midfielder throughout his career. With 228 appearances in this position for clubs like Juventus, Sassuolo, and AC Milan, Locatelli would likely compete directly with Bissouma at Tottenham. But how do the two midfielders compare over the last few seasons?
In terms of raw output, Locatelli clearly stands out. Since the start of the 2022/23 season, the Italian has made 89 appearances for Juventus, scoring one goal and providing eight assists. This gives him a goal involvement every 9.88 games. In contrast, Bissouma has failed to register a single goal or assist in 56 games during the same period—a disappointing return even for a defensive midfielder.
While Locatelli’s goal contributions are noteworthy, his superiority isn’t limited to just raw numbers. When examining underlying metrics, Locatelli consistently outperforms Bissouma. The Euro 2020 winner excels in key areas such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes received, shots on target, key passes, and crosses into the penalty area—all per 90 minutes. Additionally, he leads in shot- and goal-creating actions, making him a more potent offensive force.
Defensively, Locatelli also comes out on top. He outperforms Bissouma in metrics like blocks, clearances, and aerial duels won, while also committing fewer errors leading to opponent shots. This all-around effectiveness makes Locatelli a standout option in both attack and defense, underscoring his value as a potential addition to Spurs’ midfield.
Conclusion
While Yves Bissouma has shown flashes of brilliance under Postecoglou, Manuel Locatelli appears to be the superior player in almost every measurable aspect, both offensively and defensively. His experience, versatility, and consistency could provide Tottenham with the stability and creativity they need in the heart of the midfield.
For Tottenham to make a serious push for the top four, securing a player of Locatelli’s caliber could be crucial. If Daniel Levy and the recruitment team can pull off this signing, it might just be the key to elevating Spurs back to where they belong in the Premier League hierarchy.
