Sky Sports Pundit Paul Merson has urged Antonio Conte to use Rodrigo Bentancur in a free role in the midfield.
The 25-year-old Uruguayan international joined Spurs in January 2022 and he has developed into a key player for the London club.
Bentancur has been one of the first names on the team sheet for Tottenham Hotspur, and he has the potential to develop into a world-class player in the future.
Conte has previously been criticised for his pragmatic approach at Tottenham and Merson believes that Bentancur has not been able to play to his full potential because of the Italian’s system.
Merson wrote in his column on The Daily Star: “Tottenham are a weird one.
“They are third in the Premier League and won their Champions League group but they still haven’t played well yet. They’ve had a few good halves but they haven’t been outstanding by a long stretch.
“The midfield lineup at Bournemouth was so negative. It’s like come on, you’ve got good players. When Rodrigo Bentancur was let off the leash, he looked a world-beater. It needs to happen more often.”
The 25-year-old has been handed a defensive role alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Merson believes that he would excel with more freedom.
Bentancur has shown that he can be a handful when he has the license to venture forward. He has scored three goals across 18 matches in all competitions. The player certainly has the potential to be a quality box-to-box midfielder.
Merson’s statement suggests that Conte is holding the 25-year-old back and it remains to be seen whether the Tottenham manager is willing to tweak his system in order to get the best out of the South American.
totally agree , a very likeable and talented player who appears to be a slow burn into “a very good” player . He has capability and promises more than he has so far delivered . However he is one of first names on team sheet and he may well develop still further . He has undeniable class and when you got that – anything is possible . C O Benty ……… C O Y S !!!!!!!!!!!
Agree totally with the consistency. Needs to dominate the big teams as that’s been missing so far. At 25 he should be coming into his peak years.
I think hes a good player who more often than not is let down by players around him… no one in our team plays well when pressed high up the pitch.. probably because players in advance of the ball are too static & those on the ball aren’t comfortable with it…. net result..ball back to keeper, ball hoofed long & possession turned over…rinse & repeat…
Bentys valued at 40 million right now, he’s 25 years old.. We bought him for 19 million under half price.. Can only see him improving under Conte.
Conte has rebooted Bentys career, not held him back.. The guy has always been versatile. Predominately a defensive midfielder but can play all over. He can play box to box, mezzala, he’s even played as a second striker and a winger.. Not exactly prolific, nor a natural goalscorer.
He has played so well for us because Conte has played him in his best role as a holding centre mid.. He has loads of potential but has to sort out his consistency. He’s a world beater one game, then can crumble the next game Sonny style.