The closest Tottenham Hotspur have come to successful the Premier League in generations was beneath Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine’s greatest group might have ended up being much less profitable than Ange Postecoglou’s present facet – trophy-wise, anyway – but it surely was stacked with some outrageously gifted gamers.
The likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and a younger Son Heung-min will all the time get the plaudits from these outdoors of the fanbase, and understandably so, however the Lilywhites devoted know full properly that Mousa Dembélé was simply as vital to that facet.
The Belgian was an completely very good central midfielder, so supporters ought to be enthusiastic about latest stories linking the group to a teenager who has shades of the retired monster about him.
Spurs midfield targets
Earlier than attending to the participant in query, it is value taking a look at among the different central midfielders who’ve been touted for strikes to Spurs in latest weeks, like Quinten Timber and Angel Gomes.
The previous is the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, the captain of Feyenoord, reportedly value £25m and may very well be a great addition to the squad, as he is able to enjoying in attacking, central and defensive midfield.
Likewise, Gomes may very well be a sensational signing as, because of his contract with LOSC Lille expiring this month, he’ll be out there for nothing, and at simply 24 years previous, he already has expertise of nationwide group soccer, the Champions League and top-flight soccer in each Portugal, France and England.
But, neither certainly one of these internationals may actually be described as having shades of Dembélé to them, in contrast to Adam Wharton.
Sure, in keeping with a latest report from TEAMtalk, the Crystal Palace star is now a critical goal for the North Londoners.
The report has revealed that the membership are ‘prioritizing a central midfield’ signing this season, and the younger Englishman ‘figures extremely on their shortlist.’
Nonetheless, it will not be a straightforward deal to get carried out, because the Eagles are after upwards of £60m for the midfield maestro, however even then, along with his skill and potential, which may be a charge value paying for Spurs, particularly as he may emulate components of Dembélé’s recreation.
How Wharton compares to Dembélé
So, earlier than the pitchforks and torches come out, it is vital to state that we aren’t saying that Wharton is at present nearly as good a participant as Dembélé was throughout his pomp at Spurs, as that will simply be foolish.
Nonetheless, given the truth that he is nonetheless simply 21 years previous and might be till halfway by subsequent season, it is not that on the market to recommend he may attain that stage in time, particularly as there are some similarities between the pair.
The primary, and maybe most important, is the truth that the Palace gem very not often loses the ball.
In truth, in keeping with FBref, the “generational” expertise, as dubbed by members of the media, sits within the backside 40% of midfielders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues for the frequency he’s dispossessed, coming in at simply 0.89 occasions per 90, or, in different phrases, lower than as soon as a recreation.
An important instance of this was within the FA Cup remaining towards Manchester Metropolis, as, on prime of successful duels, making tackles and enjoying a lot of wonderful passes, he was additionally in a position to maintain onto the ball brilliantly regardless of the immense quantity of strain Pep Guardiola’s facet tried to exert on him.
This skill to maintain the ball was one of many Belgian’s most spectacular, and it looks like the younger Englishman has it in spades.
Then there are the extra surface-level comparisons, reminiscent of each gamers coming from a London membership – Fulham in Dembélé’s case – and the truth that they may and may play in both central or defensive midfield.
Finally, whereas it is some huge cash, Spurs ought to do what they’ll to signal Wharton this summer time, as he seems like he has the uncooked talents and ceiling to develop into the membership’s subsequent Dembélé.
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The younger chief may very well be simply what Spurs are after.
