Tottenham Hotspur have massive competition for places in attacking midfield now.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mousa Dembele (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko
Tottenham Hotspur’s signing of Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko doesn’t just give him the North Londoners much stronger options in midfield, it may also be the catalyst to bring out the best in two of the club’s other starring midfielders.
Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli are arguably the players most at risk from Sissoko’s arrival, but rather than it being a sign that their days under Mauricio Pochettino are numbered, it may end up firing them into form this season.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli and manager Mauricio Pochettino attempt to retrieve the ball off Liverpool’s Joel Matip
Neither Alli or Eriksen have managed to start the Premier League campaign with the same form they displayed for much of the previous campaign.
Alli was on the bench against Crystal Palace after feeling unwell, and has only displayed hints of the quality which made him arguably the breakout star of the 2015-16 Premier League.
If anything Eriksen has struggled even more to make an impact, finding himself with little time and space against Everton’s Idrissa Gueye on the opening day, and looking off the pace in each of the matches since. With talk of the Dane wanting a significant contract rise before he signs a new deal in North London, it is maybe both an explanation for his drop in form and an unhelpful time for Eriksen to struggle.
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen
There was no suggestion that the former Ajax man wanted to leave Tottenham, but what is certain now is that the club have signed a versatile player who can can play any number of attacking midfield position without the strength of the side dropping.
Sissoko has played mostly central or on the right for Newcastle and France, but he made a devastating run down the left in the Magpies’ 5-1 win over Spurs on the last day of the season, and could certainly do a job in that position, especially with Erik Lamela, arguably Tottenham’s best performer so far this season, playing on both flanks in the games so far.
Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring for Newcastle United
Tottenham have benefitted before from bringing in quality to push those in possession of a starting jersey on – both Danny Rose and Kyle Walker raised their game significantly after capable alternatives joined the club.
With Sissoko able to play any of the four forward midfield positions, Alli and Eriksen will have to focus and work hard to ensure they stay in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven. And with both offering unique qualities no one else in the side can offer, not even Sissoko, they have more than enough opportunity to benefit from the competition.
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