Van Dijk is proof that Tottenham need to be patient with midfielder who could be their best player - opinion

It has been a slow road back for Rodrigo Bentancur at Tottenham Hotspur.

After suffering a significant knee injury in February 2023, he returned to action in November, and then suffered another setback, before getting back on the pitch after the turn of the year.

These knee injuries can be utterly devastating, as someone like Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool can testify.

Back in 2020, the Liverpool defender suffered an ACL injury, just like Tottenham’s man in the middle and it kept him out for a lengthy period. 

Fast forward to the present, and with Jurgen Klopp’s side pushing for the Premier League title heading into the final run-in, it’s only now that Virgil van Dijk is probably playing his best football.

It’s incredible to say that it has taken him that long to recover and then get back to his absolute best, which is being the number one centre-back in the Premier League and the world.

Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

Rodrigo Bentancur after his knee injury

During the early stages of Rodrigo Bentancur’s comeback, he looked lively, but that has slowly worn off and he has found himself on the bench in recent matches.

You could argue, on his day, he should be a must-starter in this free-flowing, fearless and all-out attack Ange Postecoglou system.

But the Antonio Conte signing just doesn’t have the bite, consistency or top-level performances to show it, yet!

If Spurs fans are patient with the midfielder, then it could be argued that he is the club’s best all-round player.

From his ability to win the ball from deep, carry the ball forward, show composure in such tight spaces, continue to fire the ball forward, and if need be, score vital goals.

Bentancur is one of the very few men at Spurs to provide the team with balance, but fans and Postecoglou himself might not see the best of him until next season.

His body probably needs to go through the mill again, produce a lot of good stuff, fall and pick himself up again.

But when Bentancur is back on the bike, then he is going to cause serious issues for the opposition.

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