Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is ‘not the sort of player you normally associate’ with Antonio Conte, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Spurs brought in the 24-year-old during the January transfer window from Juventus in a deal that could cost up to £21.5 million with £15.8m owed up front and £5.7m due in potential add-ons.

What is the latest news involving Bentancur?

Bentancur established himself as one of European football’s most promising engine room operators after making the switch from boyhood club Boca Juniors to Juve back in July 2017.

During his four-and-a-half-year stay at the Allianz Stadium, the Uruguay international racked up 181 appearances for the Old Lady, registering 21 goal contributions and claiming five major trophies along the way.

However, Bentancur fell down the pecking order following the return of manager Massimiliano Allegri in the summer and was allowed to depart the Italian giants in the winter.

Since then, the 6 foot 2 ace has made a solid start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, making seven appearances in all competitions and playing the full 90 minutes in memorable victories over both Manchester City and Everton.

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An average WhoScored rating of 6.73 for his six Premier League appearances indicates Bentancur has settled into life on English shores relatively well, but there is still room for improvement.

Poor cameo displays in disappointing defeats against Southampton and Burnley mean question marks remain over the South American, and only time will tell if he can have the desired impact over the long-term.

What has Brown said about Bentancur?

Following his up and down start in a Tottenham shirt, Brown has claimed Bentancur ‘seems a bit hit and miss’, although states his ‘great passing range’ helps to knit the midfield together.

He told GiveMeSport: “Bentancur, he seems a bit hit and miss. He does switch off a little bit, and he's not the sort of player you normally associate with Conte really.

“But he's got a great passing range, and it does help knit that midfield together quite well. He is somebody who really helps their possession game.”

Can Tottenham finish in the top four?

Antonio Conte’s charges are currently sitting in eighth position in the top-flight standings, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

Their defeat to the Manchester United last time out significantly dented their hopes of returning to Europe’s elite cup competition for the first time since 2019/20, but the capital club could still turn things around.

Tottenham have three games in hand over United, West Ham and Wolves, who are all directly above them in the table, yet local rivals Arsenal are perhaps the favourites to claim fourth place as they have played two games fewer than Spurs.