Mousa Dembele
Tottenham Hotspur stumbled in their Premier League title quest against Watford, who came back from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road. But Spurs have otherwise been in rampant form since the start of the season. The Lilywhites were clinical in their clash against Manchester United and made the Red Devils pay for their fragile defence.
Despite not bringing in any signings over the summer, Mauricio Pochettino has defied all the odds so far. But according to the Mirror, Pochettino is willing to let his players leave. The ones who are unhappy will be more than welcome to leave Spurs, according to the manager (h/t Mirror).
With Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld’s futures in doubt (h/t Mirror), Pochettino is not taking the rumours to heart. When quizzed as to whether the club would sell their stars, the former Southampton manager gave the perfect answer.
“Harry Kane is here, Dele Alli is here, (Victor) Wanyama is here, (Eric) Dier is here, (Fernando) Llorente is here, Alderweireld is here…I don’t understand why you focus only on some names,” said the Spurs boss. Maybe you have some information I don’t have. Or better relations with me than someone.
“If you review all my press conferences when did I say expect this or expect that? Never, why you focus on a few names only? I don’t understand rumours about, you know, transfer window closing.” (Mirror)
But if Spurs really are in danger of losing Dembele, it’s absolutely vital that the club do everything in their power to hold onto the powerful Belgian. Dembele, who currently earns £80,000-a-week, joined the club from Fulham in 2012 and has since gone on to make a total of 179 Premier League appearances for the club.
He is an engine in the middle of the park and is one of the toughest midfielders in the league. Dembele is supreme with the ball at his feet, often bulldozing his way past midfielders to get Spurs on the front foot.
While Spurs possess stars like Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama to play a similar role, neither of them possess Dembele’s prowess. His aggressive style in the middle of the park is unparalleled.
Given that Tottenham Hotspur have not made any signings in the summer, it would be best for Pochettino to hold onto his best players. Failing to do so will direly cost the club in the business end of the season.