Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Udine, Italy, after repeated incidents of lateness, manager Thomas Frank has confirmed.
The 27-year-old Malian international, a regular in Spurs’ midfield since joining from Brighton in 2022, was omitted from the travelling party for Wednesday night’s showpiece fixture. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Frank made it clear that the decision was a disciplinary matter, not a tactical one.
“Bissouma isn’t here because of disciplinary reasons,” Frank stated bluntly. “He has been late several times, the latest one was one too many. We need to give love and have demands, but there have to be consequences. There’s been a consequence, we will follow it up when we get home and park it for now.”
The exclusion is a significant blow to Tottenham ahead of one of their biggest matches in recent years. The Super Cup pits the winners of the Champions League against the Europa League champions, and with Spurs facing Luis Enrique’s PSG, the match was expected to be a major test of the North London club’s progress under Frank.
Bissouma’s absence means Tottenham will have to rely on alternative midfield options, potentially pushing summer signing Conor Gallagher into a deeper role or giving Oliver Skipp an opportunity from the start. Frank, however, insisted the focus remains on the match rather than on off-field issues.
“For the club, me and everyone involved at Tottenham, it’s a massive game,” he said. “It’s a great challenge and an even bigger opportunity. The way my brain works, I see opportunities instead of pressure. We will definitely embrace it and give it everything.”
Frank also elaborated on his tactical approach to the clash, emphasising the importance of structure in all phases of play.
“I am a big believer in principles and structures in the team, offensively and defensively. I want to have clear structure in phase one and two when we are building up. We want to control the game and in phase three, we want to score.”
The incident is not the first time Bissouma has faced scrutiny over off-field conduct. While he has been widely praised for his energy, ball-winning abilities, and composure on the ball, his discipline—both on and off the pitch—has occasionally come under question. Persistent lateness is a breach of professional standards that most managers are unwilling to overlook, particularly in high-pressure environments.
Frank’s decision sends a clear message about discipline and accountability within the squad. Since his appointment earlier this summer, the Danish coach has spoken repeatedly about building a culture of respect, punctuality, and professionalism. Dropping a senior player for such a high-profile match signals his commitment to those values.
For Tottenham, the challenge now is to maintain focus on the match itself. PSG arrive in Udine boasting a squad brimming with talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Vitinha, and Ousmane Dembélé. Enrique’s men will be eager to add another European trophy to their collection, while Spurs seek to make a statement on the continental stage.
Without Bissouma, Tottenham may need to adapt their pressing and midfield control, areas in which the Malian has been particularly influential. However, Frank’s insistence on “seeing opportunities instead of pressure” suggests he believes the team can rise to the occasion.
While the Super Cup is a one-off fixture, it represents a valuable gauge of Tottenham’s readiness to compete with Europe’s elite. For Bissouma, the omission is a personal setback, but also a chance for reflection. Whether he can regain his manager’s trust will depend not on his ability—few doubt that—but on his willingness to match his talent with the professionalism Frank demands.
Kick-off in Udine is set for Wednesday night, with Tottenham fans hoping their team can lift the trophy despite the absence of one of their midfield anchors.
