Dembélé Absence Will Hinder Spurs' Pursuit of Second Place
To say Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea was a heated affair would be an understatement. Spurs’ nine yellow cards received set a Premier League record in a single match - it’s astounding to believe they ended the game with 11-men on the pitch. 20 fouls committed in the hot-tempered affair was well above the north London side’s season average (12.2) in England’s top tier this term.
Mauricio Pochettino has earned ample praise and deservedly so for eradicating Spurs’ soft under belly during his short time at White Hart Lane but while his team errs on the side of caution, Monday’s meeting at Stamford Bridge crossed a line to some. Spurs and Chelsea have since been charged for failing to control their players at the ‘Battle of the Bridge’.
However, the biggest ban will be handed to Mousa Dembele after the Belgian became embroiled in an incident with Chelsea striker Diego Costa on the stroke of half time. Some outlets suggest Dembele could face a 10-match ban for his eye gouge on the Spain international. Either way, his season is over. Indeed, it’s a bitterly disappointing end to what has been a hugely impressive campaign for the 28-year-old.
Spurs have a lengthy list of player of the year candidates. Toby Alderweireld has proven to be one of the signings of the season, while Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen have become key members of this side. Harry Kane is on track to secure the golden boot award and it goes without saying that compatriots Dele Alli and Eric Dier are well worth a nomination. Dembele is another who would be a deserving winner of the accolade.
Pochettino has managed the Belgian's return to prominence exceptionally well. After missing the best part of two months with an ankle injury, Dembele has become a key cog in a Spurs side aiming to secure second place this season. Pochettino’s side have become heavily dependent on him in the middle of the park and for good reason. Only Riyad Mahrez (7.84) and Dimitri Payet (7.72) have gained better WhoScored ratings than Dembele (7.69) in the Premier League this term.
Spurs have lost just one of the 27 league games the man nicknamed ‘The Doctor’ has started this term, and that was on the wing on the opening day defeat at Manchester United. They’ve won just four of nine he has not. With rivals Arsenal breathing down their necks - though coming into a tough trip to Manchester City this weekend - Dembele’s enforced absence naturally comes as a blow to the club. Alongside Dier in the deep-lying pairing in Pochettino’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, the experienced middle man boasts the necessary composure and strength on the ball to drive this Spurs side forward.
Of the 376 players to attempt 50 or more dribbles in Europe’s top five leagues, Dembele boasts the best dribble success rate (92.2%) this season. Having failed to complete just seven of 90 attempted dribbles, it’s little wonder that Dembele has gained a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’. The way in which he carries the ball forward at times defies belief given his size, but he maximises his physical stature to break forward from the middle of the park.
This helps create space in the final third and with Dembele capable of shaking off the opposition midfield with ease, it presents Spurs with the chance to break forward in numbers. It’s somewhat of a running joke among supporters that the only reason Dembele lets opponents have the ball is because he wants you to, given his superb close control.
With Dembele now banned, however, Spurs will be without arguably their best midfielder. The same thrust afforded from deep is expected to be missing against both Saints and Newcastle and Pochettino must now decide whether to start Ryan Mason or Tom Carroll alongside Dier for the next two games. With Alli also ruled out through suspension, Spurs are without two key midfielders in the quest to wrap up second. Mason may offer tenacity in the middle of the park, but it’s fair to say the England international lacks the technical quality Dembele brings to the side.
Similarly, Carroll looks out of his depth in this battling Spurs side, with the team tipped to struggle in Dembele’s absence. Between Mason and Carroll, they have started 10 Premier League games this season, only two of which the north London side have won. Whoever Pochettino calls on to partner Dier in midfield, they will need to up their game to ease Dembele’s suspension.
Moreover, it’s not just Dembele’s influence on the ball that benefits Spurs, with his ability to win possession for the team a bonus. Only N’Golo Kante (4.5), Lucas Leiva and Idrissa Gana (both 4.1) are making more tackles per game than Dembele (3.6) in the Premier League this season. Given Pochettino’s demands to rob the opposition of the ball as quickly as possible, the former Fulham man carries out his necessary duties and this in turn has helped Spurs this campaign.
As the season comes to a head, every point is vital if Spurs are to secure second place. While a top-four finish is guaranteed, Pochettino will demand the players do not rest on their laurels after back-to-back draws saw their title pursuit end, not with a bang, but a whimper. However, their task will be made all the more difficult with Dembele now ruled out for the remainder of the season, with the midfielder offering a unique offensive and defensive threat no teammate can match.
How big a loss will Mousa Dembele be in Spurs' quest to secure second? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
