Tottenham: Yves Bissouma insists Ange Postecoglou relationship still strong despite Spurs struggles | OneFootball

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Bissouma has struggled for consistency in a floundering Spurs side this term and been withdrawn at half-time in three of his 12 starts since the turn of the year.

He acknowledged it has been a "hard" campaign for him personally, but says his feelings towards Postecoglou have remained consistent.

"It’s never changed. Never changed. We have a good relationship," Bissouma said, when asked about the Australian, whose future beyond the end of the season is uncertain.

"He’s like a dad or uncle for us. He’s always trying to make us understand what he really wants. For us, he’s Ange, he’s him.

Postecoglou has acknowledged that Bissouma has had "issues" this season but credited the 28-year-old for never complaining and said he is proud of the way he has delivered since returning to the side.

"[The manager] is always protecting us," Bissouma added. "Every game, when we lose or win. He’s got a top mentality. He understands football. He knows it’s up and down.

"He never blames players. To have a coach like him is something. At the same time, with him, we are working hard. We want to improve every game and every training because it’s really important for us and the club.

"We’re all here for the club, for the same reason. It’s necessary to be together.”

Bissouma has started just 16 Premier League games this season, despite being one of the few Spurs players to have avoided serious injury, with Postecoglou typically preferring Bergvall or Rodrigo Bentancur at the base of midfield.

Postecoglou has revealed he spoke to Bissouma last month and told him he would be needed before the end of the campaign.

Asked about the conversation, Bissouma said: "I don’t have anything to say about that because he said everything already.

"But, yes, as a player, it’s really important to stay involved with the team because you don’t know when the team will need you, so you have to work hard to be ready. That’s why we are here as professionals.

"Of course there’s more to come [from me]," he added. "We are always here for learning, I’m still learning. This season has been hard for me because I didn’t play much. The most important thing is if the team does good. I’m here to work and when my time comes, I play.

"As a professional, you have to be ready. You have to understand it’s not just yourself – you are part of a group. You can’t control things sometimes. The only thing I know is, you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That’s what I’m always trying to do.

"It's always a pleasure to be back and play. Football is everything for me. To be playing is something special for me. I have to take every opportunity like I did in the last European game, so I’m happy.”

Looking ahead to the final, he said: "We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup because for us, it’s really important. It’s an important game for us. As a player, it’s not coming every season.

"For the club, for the fans, it’s something special. I don’t have the words to say. We’ll see."

Bissouma was suspended for the opening game of the season by the club after filming himself taking nitrous oxide, which prompted Postecoglou to say that he had to win back the trust of himself and the rest of the squad.

"I don’t want to talk about that, sorry," said Bissouma.

"Everyone [supported me], and yourself as well, as a professional. You have to understand that football is up and down.

"In the hard moments, you have to be strong. You have to stay strong because it’s not easy. The most important thing for us is we're here to learn. That's why we train every day to be ready for the game.

"And I am a very religious person. I learned that from my family."