Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield options will be ‘frightening’ once Rodrigo Bentancur is back available for selection.
Bentancur has been on the sidelines since February when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 4-1 defeat at Leicester City.
Tottenham’s fortunes also took a downward spiral with a disappointing eighth place finish in the Premier League table which saw them miss out on European qualification for the first time in over a decade.
New Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has already overhauled his first-choice midfield pairing with Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma getting the nod over Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who have both had to be patient for game time in recent weeks.
The Uruguayan has already been spotted taking some part in first team training and Postecoglou admitted last month that the end could be in sight as he nears his return, but did stress that they must tread carefully.
He told Football.London: ”Rehab it is the toughest bit. Talk to any player, it is not just the work but the solitary element of it. He was buzzing yesterday but it is good.
“Fair to say he has a fair bit of work to do and great to have him involved. He was dejected of course when we had to pull him out of it after half an hour.
“There will be many that are hopeful for a speedy return, however with such a major injury, there may still be a long path ahead, but the end is in sight.”
With Bissouma and Sarr both set to head off to represent Mali and Senegal respectively at AFCON in January, Tottenham will certainly be looking to the likes of Bentancur.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider about the return of Bentancur: “It’s massive news.
“If anything it’s just a different option for Postecoglou. But I was watching this guy last season and thinking: ‘This guy has got it all’.
“He can play anywhere in the midfield. He can play deep, he can go further forward.
“Some of the runs he was making in behind were great – and he’s quick as well.
“Postecoglou has been playing Sarr in there, and I think he’ll come in for Sarr.
“Then you’ve got a midfield of Bissouma, Bentancur and Maddison. It’s frightening.”
Bentancur was such an important part of the Tottenham side before he got injured and it is pivotal that he is not rushed back before he is physically and mentally ready, otherwise the consequences could be disastrous.
A fit and ready Bentancur within the Postecoglou set-up alongside Yves Bissouma is a prospect worth looking forward to.
