Tottenham’s midfield enforcer Mousa Dembele is struggling with the physicality of the Premier League as he approaches 31. Here’s why Abdoulaye Doucoure should be considered as a potential long-term replacement.
Tottenham’s inimitable midfielder Mousa Dembele is considering his future as he approaches 31 (Evening Standard), as the physical demands of the Premier League are beginning to take their toll – with the Belgian having started just 21 of 38 games this term.
Perhaps it’s time for Mauricio Pochettino to start planning for life without the man he once called a “genius” then, and a quality replacement would be simple enough to engineer, in the form of Watford’s industrious centre-mid, Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Frenchman, who despite being a holding midfielder by trade, is best known best for his intricate array of passing in the middle of the park and ability to glide past defensive counterparts.
Doucoure has managed to bag an impressive return of seven goals and four assists in the Premier League this term.
Victor Wanyama is more than capable of providing a screen for the defensive three and Eric Dier is also able to double as a holding midfielder if needed.
The addition of Doucoure at this stage would allow the impressive player to learn from Dembele, in the player’s final year of his contract – which Dembele refuses to negotiate until after the World Cup. – so the 25-year-old can achieve his obvious potential and transition into a first-team role as he approaches his prime years.
The move would also likely likely represent shroud business for Spurs, as the Frenchman would arrive at the fraction of the cost of some of the names being touted around Europe.
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