‘Genius.” A word that Mauricio Pochettino has repeatedly called Mousa Dembele since the Argentinian arrived at the club. Yet it seems that only very recently people in the media have begun to take notice the impact the Belgian has on the team.
His ability to run with ball, to hold off opposing players, and break the line is crucial for Poch`s men. In some senses, he is a highly unorthodox midfielder, and it may be the reason why he goes under the radar.
The playmaker has no goals or assists to his name this season, but his return to the first team in recent weeks has coincided with a run of form which has seen us climb up the table, and make our mark in the Champions League.
Some say that the art of dribbling has gone out of the game but our No.19 is certainly the leading proponent of the art form in the Premier League. He is untouchable when in full flight, taking opponents out of the game, and opening spaces for other players such as Kane, Eriksen, Dele and Son to run into – in short the catalyst for our attacks.
The combination of tackling, dribbling skills, and range of passing make him unique, and it is all the more surprising when you consider he started life out in Belgian and Dutch football as a striker. Although the goals may have dried up over the years, what they have been replaced with are qualities that are just as vital, and are key to making this highly talented Spurs side tick.
Every team needs an engine room, and while the likes of Eriksen and Dele will get more of the plaudits, it`s good to see that in recent weeks, the more unheralded midfielder getting the credit he deserves from others.
Both the fans and our manager have always known what a valuable player the 30-year-old is to us, and his performances like his commanding display against Juve – where he alone had 12% of the total match possession – was just another demonstration of the class the man possesses. If he is underrated, so be it, he`s our “genius” in the middle of the park and we are lucky to have him.
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