da stake casino： A 5-1 win over Bournemouth at the weekend extended Tottenham’s unbeaten run to an impressive nine games, with the signs there that this young side are starting to buy into Mauricio Pochettino’s footballing ideals.
da wazamba： There is no shortage of talent at White Hart Lane, with a collective feeling that if the Argentine trainer can get the best from the players at his disposal a top-four finish is a reasonable objective.
One of the most able of all of Pochettino’s charges is Mousa Dembele, who has showcased exceptional technique over the years in English football, but whose ideal position is still something of an unanswered question.
The Belgium international is capable of playing in a number of different roles in Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 system, but does not command a certain position if everyone is fit and available.
Traditionally a central midfielder, Dembele has also been used in the number ten role and on one of the flanks this season alone. The former Fulham man played in the boiler room against Liverpool in the recent 0-0 draw, putting in an impressive showing.
With this in mind, what are the pros and cons to having Dembele in his natural role in the centre of the park?
PROS
Dembele has played the bulk of his football in central midfield in recent years and as such knows the demands of the role well.
He brings plenty of effort and a good work-rate to the role, with the Belgian not afraid to put a foot in.
His range of passing is as good as anyone in the Spurs squad, with his ability to spread possession from a deep-lying role seeming ideal.
Dembele does not get enough goals for someone of his ability, but his ability to shoot accurately from range could also be a feature of Spurs’ play.
With summer signing Son Heung-min also looking ideal in the number ten role, playing Dembele in a deeper role seems preferential if Pochettino is to get all his stars into the one team.
CONS
Although supremely able on the ball, Dembele is arguably the biggest fan of his own abilities and as such tries to do too much on occasion when in possession.
Few Spurs fans would begrudge the gifted Belgian if he is trying to do something spectacular in an attacking position, but problems arise when he keeps the ball for too long or tries to beat an opponent in his own half.
Dembele has been guilty of coughing up possession in dangerous areas in the past and having him in central midfield is a risk to some degree due to him potentially overplaying.
With Dele Alli and Eric Dier forming an impressive partnership in the centre of midfield in recent games, with a blend of brains and brawn, it appears that Dembele would be better deployed elsewhere.
His versatility is a gift but also a curse, with the brilliant Belgian set to fill in the gaps rather than command regular inclusion in a particular position.
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