Tottenham earning a draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu proved how seriously they should be taken. What made it all the more remarkable was that they did so without several key players. Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Dele Alli, Ben Davies and Erik Lamela couldn't be involved on Tuesday yet Spurs looked at home against the reigning Champions League winners.
Of those missing, Dembele is not the one that most would instinctively recognise as the biggest loss. He doesn’t stand out as obviously as some of his more high profile or marketable teammates but is a vital component of Tottenham’s system and his absence has been felt. Last year, Dembele and Wanyama were the outstanding midfield base upon which Spurs’ success was built. There was some thrilling football, although a lack of trophies to show for it.
Just a week ago Tottenham were referred to as ‘the Harry Kane team’ by Pep Guardiola. Understandably, Mauricio Pochettino didn’t take too kindly to the label, which he deemed disrespectful. Although Kane is the unquestionable star and figurehead of the side, this is an incredibly well-rounded group of players with an impressive lack of ego. Nothing has demonstrated that more than Eric Dier and Harry Winks slotting into the team so seamlessly. Demonstrably second choice for so much of last season, they haven’t looked like it this time.
Even with such a lengthy list of absentees, Tottenham are more than capable of churning out positive results. But still there’s something missing – a combination of control, strength and precision that only Mousa Dembele can offer. He doesn't really deal in the hard currency of goals and assists but is arguably the most integral figure to the way they play. Their fluency stems from him and he sets the tone, shrugging off challenges with contemptuous ease.
Dembele is physically assertive and technically impeccable, exerting control over a game and opposition midfield in ways that don't necessarily stand out. An incredibly pure footballer, his awareness is excellent and he barely ever loses the ball. Although he can go under the radar to some extent, and is often criminally underrated as a result, Dembele is acknowledged as Tottenham's lynchpin within the squad itself – their best and most significant player.
His involvement has been thwarted by a persistent ankle problem, limiting him to just six appearances so far. He hasn’t played in the league since the start of September but could be involved in some capacity against Liverpool on Sunday. Dembele was expected to be on the bench in Madrid until he felt a twinge in training and was held back as a precaution. Pochettino realises his importance and doesn’t want to rush anything.
Although Tottenham are unbeaten in the games he’s missed, their whole set-up and style of play briefly had to be reimagined in his absence, with Moussa Sissoko incorporated as a strong, shuttling runner. Dembele’s return is a welcome and timely boost for Spurs but could be bad news for the rest of the Premier League. An already frightening proposition could soon be back to its very best. Always susceptible to injury, hopefully he can go on to enjoy a consistent run of games.