It solely took a number of moments from Rodrigo Bentancur’s debut in Uruguay’s Premier League to supply a glimpse of his high quality.
His first contribution was a sensible keep out of bother in midfield. His second cross cross to Lucas Moura.
Bentancur, who was signed by Juventus for 21.5 million kilos on the finish of January, changed Pierre-Emile Hogberg 60 minutes earlier than the match in opposition to Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur.
Already he had house followers purring.
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Free to look at: Highlights from Tottenham’s win over West Ham
The match would finish in disappointment for the Spurs, with late targets from Mohamed El Younosi and Che Adams securing a dramatic 3-2 victory for the Saints, however Bentancourt’s arc bode nicely for what was to come back.
Two months later, he delivers on his early promise.
Harry Kane and Hong Min Son have earned essentially the most reward for Tottenham’s latest enchancment, scoring seven and 4 targets in a row over a five-of-seven successful streak that reignited their top-four problem.
However Bentancur, together with former Juventus teammate Dejan Kulusevski, who adopted him from Turin to north London on the identical day, additionally performed an essential function.
Along with Hogberg in a two-man midfield, and within the absence of injured Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks, Bentancur achieved stability and management in midfield, averaging extra touches and passes in 90 minutes than anybody else. else.
Bentancourt had a huge effect on Tottenham in possession of the ball
Bentancur’s skill to carry the ball in tight areas helped Spurs, whereas followers additionally welcomed his willingness to play ahead when the scenario required it – simply as he did with the second purpose of their latest 2-0 win over Brighton.
Kane’s by means of ball earned him his help, however his cross to the identical participant within the run-up to Spurs’ second purpose in opposition to West Ham, when he rolled a curve ball out of Declan Rice’s attain within the middle circle, is the perfect coding. What spurs give him in possession.
On that event the assistance went to Kane, with the striker then feeding Son working behind the West Ham defence, however the cross earlier than that, performed from contained in the Tottenham half, was a traditional Bentancur – and no much less essential in creating the opening.
Stated “my principal function” Sky Sports activities In February “is to start the play”.
Bentancourt has a cross accuracy of practically 90 p.c
Bentancourt excels on this regard, however he additionally talked about “closing areas” and “protecting my protection if somebody goes out to assault” amongst his main duties in midfield, including: “I’m extra defensive than attacking.”
These defensive duties require tactical self-discipline – a should for any participant below Antonio Conte’s meticulous supervision – and in addition nice stamina – one other trait thought-about important by a supervisor who expects his gamers to “undergo” of their quest for victory.
Bentancourt has already proven his willingness to take action.
The 24-year-old is elegant at dealing with the ball, but additionally has an urge for food for soiled work.
Certainly, in solely his fourth look for Tottenham, in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad in February, Bentancur coated a rare complete of 13.1km – essentially the most by any participant in a Premier League match all season.
Kulusevsky wasn’t 13km away from him, and the duo’s presence within the high mileage rankings highlights one of many methods Conte felt they may assist him.
“We present in these two gamers all of the traits of this league,” Conte stated just lately.
Their teammates had been equally impressed.
“They bring about numerous constructive power,” Solar added. “They’ve a fantastic work fee and nice demeanor, which is all the time in demand.” In reality, these traits appear to have influenced a lot of these round them.
Bentancur brings a wealth of expertise, too, spending 4 and a half seasons at Juventus versus one and a half for Kolosevski, serving to the Torino facet win three Serie A titles and two Italian Cups, and growing what Conte calls a “successful mentality”.
Bentancourt covers a big space of the stadium
“He’s solely 24 years previous however he has already performed 200 matches,” Conte defined. Sky Sports activities Final month.
“It signifies that he has numerous expertise. He has performed together with his nationwide workforce. He has performed many matches with Juventus, he has performed many matches with Juventus, you must present that you simply deserve the prospect and you’ve got to have the ability to reside with the very best strain.”
It’s clear that the expertise of coping with strain has helped Bentancur at Spurs. He was thrown right into a struggling squad, ready that had all the time been an issue for the membership, and but he rose to the bottom, and appeared to adapt to a brand new league and new nation virtually instantly.
Along with Kulusevsky, he made Spurs stronger. If he can proceed to ship on his early promise, the pissed off switch window on the time could as a substitute be remembered as a triumph.
Watch the Tottenham vs Newcastle match reside Sky Sports activities Premier League From 4 pm onwards Tremendous Sunday; Match kicks off 4:30 pm
