Tottenham: Bryan Gil on a change in fortune and a growing relationship with manager Antonio Conte

Bryan Gil is turning heads among Tottenham fans after being given the opportunity to fight for his place.

The young Spanish winger spent large parts of last season out on-loan and was only held on to this season because Spurs could not find a better replacement.

But he has knuckled down without complaining, and has worked hard in the gym and on the field to change his luck.

Against Portsmouth he left the pitch to resounding applause, something that looked almost impossible at the start of the season.

In the Tottenham dressing room he is becoming a trusted member of the squad and fans at the stadium and on social media are beginning to applaud his every touch.

Gil admits it has taken time but he is finally getting rewarded for his hard work: “In the end, everyone needs time to adapt, and now is when they are allowing me to have more prominence and minutes.

“I have worked a lot to get to this moment and have opportunities, so hopefully I continue to have these options and continue to improve.”

Against Crystal Palace in the league the Spanish midfielder was by far the best player for the Lilywhites, he ran more, fought more and created goals - all to the delight of his manager who has previously likened him to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

The comparison delights Gil, who says he is just trying to enjoy playing and not to get carried away after just three games.

He added: “Bernardo is a great player, I think he is at another level and if the coach has said that, thank you.

“It cost me more the first year and this summer, but I have worked a lot these months on that with the physical trainers and I notice it, so surely it shows in my game as well.”

He added: “I have to take advantage of the opportunities that [the manager] is giving me and I just want to restore his confidence so that he knows that he has to be calm with me.”

Physically the Premier League is the most demanding league in the world, and Gil has been fouled more than any other Spurs player in the last three games.

He finds himself taking kicks when he tries to dribble and getting fouled when he tries to shield the ball. In Spain he had more protection from referees but he says that although it has taken time he is finally getting used to the physicality of the Premier League.

“Yes, it is the main change and surely it was noticeable to me,” he said. “It is where I suffered the most last year and I think that caused me not to play. I am working on it and improving, although it is something that cannot be achieved overnight, but I continue to improve.”