Pochettino comments on Tottenham’s Dembele highlight need to sign Ross Barkley

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Tottenham reportedly see Everton ace as Mousa Dembele’s replacement.

Tottenham Hotspur backed off moving for Ross Barkley in the summer after he suffered an injury, but recent comments from head coach Mauricio Pochettino indicate a deal may become a January priority.

The Times reported this summer that Pochettino sees Ross Barkley as a successor for Mousa Dembele.

Spurs wanted to use Barkley in a central midfield position, believing that is where he can carve himself a spot in the team, and also shine for England too.

A hamstring injury and high demands from Everton meant Spurs did not end up moving in the summer, while Barkley backed out of a proposed switch to Chelsea – with The Sun reporting he still wants a move to Tottenham.

Tottenham’s need to sign Barkley may have intensified, with Dembele struggling with injury.

He missed the weekend win over West Ham, after head coach Mauricio Pochettino offered a worrying assessment of his foot injury.

Pochettino told The Guardian that Dembele’s playing time must be very carefully managed and that the midfielder is in regular pain after playing.

This makes the need to bring in Barkley greater than he may have previously realised, and providing the Everton ace can recover to full fitness himself, it is inevitable Tottenham will pursue him.

Spurs will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement from January 1, but for Everton it makes sense to try and cash in on him in January.