Ange Postecoglou outlines his Rodrigo Bentancur Tottenham plan ahead of Chelsea

Rodrigo Bentancur could be handed more minutes by Ange Postecoglou on Monday evening when Tottenham host Chelsea in the Premier League

Rodrigo Bentancur could make his first appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in nine months on Monday evening

Monday evening promises to be an emotional occasion for Rodrigo Bentancur as he gets set to step back onto the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time in nine months. Making his return from a long-term ACL injury in last Friday’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, the Uruguayan will be hopeful of getting even more minutes under his belt when Chelsea visit N17.

Bentancur’s last appearance on home soil came at the beginning of February as the Lilywhites secured a 1-0 win over Premier League champions Man City. All connected with Spurs will have their fingers crossed that his next appearance at the club’s home will also result in another important victory.

Currently top of the Premier League and holding a two-point lead after ten games, Bentancur’s return to fitness is huge for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham as they look to kick on even further.

Playing a major role for Spurs initially after his move from Juventus as he helped the team secure Champions League qualification, he took his game up a further level or two last campaign as he contributed with six goals and two assists in 26 appearances.

Bentancur looks made to play in Postecoglou’s system and the Australian could even take the 26-year-old on to even greater heights. Whereas previously he was an automatic starter under Antonio Conte, Tottenham now have Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison flourishing in the middle of the park and there’s no guarantee Tottenham’s No.30 will immediately come straight back into the team once he is fully fit and firing again.

Ahead of Monday’s London derby clash against Chelsea, Postecoglou was asked if Bentancur is now in a position to start games following his return. Speaking to SPURSPLAY, the 58-year-old admitted that Tottenham need to get him up to speed in all aspects of the game but opportunities will be there for him.

“Look, he’s like everyone else, he’s working hard at training and they’re all ready to start,” he explained. “It’s about when we give him the opportunity, but certainly with Roddy having missed so much football we’re just going to have to be really sort of diligent in making sure we get him up to speed in all aspects of the game.

“He’s working hard at training and that’s a starting point. I’m sure he’ll get more opportunities to contribute over the coming weeks.”

Receiving a huge cheer from the Tottenham faithful when he came off the bench in the victory at Crystal Palace, the noise inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be something very special indeed if he is to get some more minutes in the tank against Chelsea. Bentancur perhaps could not have asked for a better home game to make his return as the London derby will be some occasion as the Lilywhites look to maintain their place at the summit of the league.

Chelsea’s form may have been incredibly mixed since the start of the season but Postecoglou knows full well that his Tottenham team are going to be in for a tough game when Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues make the trip across the capital.

“It’s a big game. It’s a London derby and Chelsea traditionally, particularly over the last 10 to 15 years, have been one of those sides that have set a benchmark for success. Any time you play these games you look forward to them,” said Postecoglou.

“The atmosphere is going to be great, we’re at home which is brilliant for us. All our home games so far have been fairly exciting and real sort of engagement by our support. I’m looking forward to it, it should be another big night for us.

“They’re a good team, they’ve got some outstanding individual players and we’re going to have to be really strong from a collective point of view to overcome that. We don’t want it to turn into individual battles because they’ve got some players that can really hurt you and quality all over the park.

“So far we’ve been good in our home games and making it difficult for all oppositions and limiting their ability to hurt us and also be threatening the other way.”

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