Ex-Player Watch Player Watch: Mousa Dembele

[parj]

I still really don't understand people advocating selling a seasoned central midfielder, when we will probably bring no one in and where we're so short in central midfield, with currently only two experienced options and a young prospect. All it takes is for just one of Dier, Sissoko or Winks to become injured and we're left painfully short again, as promising as Skipp may be. I can't even bring Wanyama into the equation to be honest.

It's not even just about hoping Dembele can perform outstandingly for us still, it's about him being able to fill in and do a reasonable job (which I still certainly think he can do) to allow other and maybe better options to gain a rest and remain fit.

We would have to pay £20m for the equivalent of the last legs Dembele people are trying to get rid off

 

[Lilbaz]

We would have to pay £20m for the equivalent of the Dembele people are trying to get rid off

Then pay £20m or more. We can't rely on him, he's gone in the summer anyway.

 

[ajspurs]

Then pay £20m or more. We can't rely on him, he's gone in the summer anyway.

That's the point though, we won't pay £20m or more, or lets just say I won't be surprised if we don't come January. I don't know if people want him gone with the assumption we'll get someone else or want him gone period but if it's the latter then that's highly questionable thinking. I don't have too much of a problem if we bring in another capable body but after the summer anything can happen, or not happen to be more specific.

 

[Lilbaz]

That's the point though, we won't pay £20m or more, or lets just say I won't be surprised if we don't come January. I don't know if people want him gone with the assumption we'll get someone else or want him gone period but if it's the latter then that's highly questionable thinking. I don't have too much of a problem if we bring in another capable body but after the summer anything can happen, or not happen to be more specific.

None of us want him gone without anyone coming in.

 

[Mr Pink]

Imagine trying to see the game out at Anfield, trying to manage the game... And we bring Dembele on.

Could play a massive role for the second half of the season.

 

[ajspurs]

None of us want him gone without anyone coming in.

I would say most going on just some of the comments in this thread.

 

[Lilbaz]

I would say most going on just some of the comments in this thread.

Then they are stupid.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

He was our machine for years and years

I like Dembele, but that really is an over-statement.

He had a couple of good seasons for us under Poch.

Poch's first year (14/15), Dembele was a squad player, and played mostly in an AM3 position - with little to show for it.
Poch's 2nd year(15/16), Dembele had a sit down with Poch about more playing time in the summer, and he came back and started playing CM2 - essentially taking Bentaleb's spot.
Poch's 3rd year (16/17) - this was the best year for Dembele
Poch's 4th year (17/18) - last season saw a decline in almost all stats for Dembele
Poch's 5th year (18/19) - injured, and very much a shell of his 16/17 form.


So, looking at this most fondly for Dembele - he had about an 18-month run where he was "our machine". It took him a while to fit into Poch's plans - and, unfortunately, he could not stay at that level for a several-year run.

 

[Lilbaz]

The disrespect for Dembele is utterly insane but not surprising. You can pretty much guarantee that people would be desperately clamoring for him to come back if we were languishing in 6th and Sissoko hadn't turned his form around.

No disrespect. But we can (and need to) upgrade. How many games has he played this year? He's out of contract in the summer. I'd rather we had a player we can rely on for the rest of the season.

 

[thelak]

I like Dembele, but that really is an over-statement.

He had a couple of good seasons for us under Poch.

Poch's first year (14/15), Dembele was a squad player, and played mostly in an AM3 position - with little to show for it.
Poch's 2nd year(15/16), Dembele had a sit down with Poch about more playing time in the summer, and he came back and started playing CM2 - essentially taking Bentaleb's spot.
Poch's 3rd year (16/17) - this was the best year for Dembele
Poch's 4th year (17/18) - last season saw a decline in almost all stats for Dembele
Poch's 5th year (18/19) - injured, and very much a shell of his 16/17 form.


So, looking at this most fondly for Dembele - he had about an 18-month run where he was "our machine". It took him a while to fit into Poch's plans - and, unfortunately, he could not stay at that level for a several-year run.

You do realise he joined Spurs in 2012 - you can’t just ignore the period before Poch. At one point Dembele and Sandro were seen as one of the most effective midfield combinations in the league

Dembele has been a v effective if injury prone player for years now - he’s been written off before but if not being replaced clearly a quality option for the rest of the season

 

[parj]

I like Dembele, but that really is an over-statement.

He had a couple of good seasons for us under Poch.

Poch's first year (14/15), Dembele was a squad player, and played mostly in an AM3 position - with little to show for it.
Poch's 2nd year(15/16), Dembele had a sit down with Poch about more playing time in the summer, and he came back and started playing CM2 - essentially taking Bentaleb's spot.
Poch's 3rd year (16/17) - this was the best year for Dembele
Poch's 4th year (17/18) - last season saw a decline in almost all stats for Dembele
Poch's 5th year (18/19) - injured, and very much a shell of his 16/17 form.


So, looking at this most fondly for Dembele - he had about an 18-month run where he was "our machine". It took him a while to fit into Poch's plans - and, unfortunately, he could not stay at that level for a several-year run.

Over 25 games every season with his injury record. He was part of the CM duo with Sandro under AVB that, until Sandro's injury, was one of the best CM pairings and we were in the title mix. This is when Dembele started to sit deeper....2012/13 season. So he has been our CM machine for quite a while and with 25+ games a season with his injury record... Integral part of our team.

Let's at least be appreciative of what he helped to build. He might not have got the goals or assists but he was part of the spine of our team for a long time.

Totally agree we need a new player, but the £10m fee (if that) would be better spent backing the team up

 

[Yid-ol]

Over 25 games every season with his injury record. He was part of the CM duo with Sandro under AVB that, until Sandro's injury, was one of the best CM pairings and we were in the title mix. This is when Dembele started to sit deeper....2012/13 season. So he has been our CM machine for quite a while and with 25+ games a season with his injury record... Integral part of our team.

Let's at least be appreciative of what he helped to build. He might not have got the goals or assists but he was part of the spine of our team for a long time.

He was, but now is becoming less and less important. It doesn't take away what he has done for us before for us, but he has said himself the EPL is too demanding on him with his injurys and was looking to move to a less physical league so he can continue longer.

We should only let him go in this window if we bring a replacement in, we will need to do it in the next window when his contract is up anyway, so if we can do it now and have a player who we can rotate in CM more regularly and of almost or greater quality then we should look at that option.

 

[parj]

He was, but now is becoming less and less important. It doesn't take away what he has done for us before for us, but he has said himself the EPL is too demanding on him with his injurys and was looking to move to a less physical league so he can continue longer.

We should only let him go in this window if we bring a replacement in, we will need to do it in the next window when his contract is up anyway, so if we can do it now and have a player who we can rotate in CM more regularly and of almost or greater quality then we should look at that option.

Lucas and Sissoko are prime examples of the difficulty in joining us without a pre-season. If it was easy for players to settle in our team then I would be for it

 

[coys200]

I would definitely keep him till end of season as opposed to integrating a brand new player. If hopefully 2nd half of season is a success we could have at least another 25-30 games. I’d feel much comfortable giving him 10-15 games than chancing a total unknown to our system. As said no better player to see out a game if we are 1-0 up with 30 minutes to go.

 

[Shadydan]

No disrespect. But we can (and need to) upgrade. How many games has he played this year? He's out of contract in the summer. I'd rather we had a player we can rely on for the rest of the season.

If we signed a new player do you not think it's gonna take them at least half a season to integrate with the team as opposed to Dembele who can still be given a subs role and still be effective.

The reason why there are question marks over him is because we know he can't play 3 games a week but he isn't first choice now so I don't see the need to get rid just yet.

 

[Lilbaz]

If we signed a new player do you not think it's gonna take them at least half a season to integrate with the team as opposed to Dembele who can still be given a subs role and still be effective.

The reason why there are question marks over him is because we know he can't play 3 games a week but he isn't first choice now so I don't see the need to get rid just yet.

It may take them a while to fully integrate doesn't mean they can't add something to the team. More than someone in the physio room. What have dembele or wanyama contributed this season?
It's not just about them though it's about our future. It is about convincing poch, eriksen, toby etc... that we are serious about wanting to win things. A new player (one well known) would lift the squad.

 

[Shadydan]

It may take them a while to fully integrate doesn't mean they can't add something to the team. More than someone in the physio room. What have dembele or wanyama contributed this season?
It's not just about them though it's about our future. It is about convincing poch, eriksen, toby etc... that we are serious about wanting to win things. A new player (one well known) would lift the squad.

Not really as black and white as you're making out though is it?

You make it sound like if we sign someone in January then all will be fine and dandy, how do we know said player is going to settle in straight away, do we have the money for a player who will make a difference? How do we know that player won't pick up an injury etc...

Dembele is currently injured because he twisted his ankle, that's not an recurring injury it's a freak accident which can happen to anyone. We know what Dembele can contribute for Spurs and if he's not first choice we aren't relying on him and it means there's less strain on his body and he can be fresher for when we need him.

At the same time Dembele back on the pitch would also lift the squad...why would they want someone who is still highly thought of by his manager and his team mates completely out of the club? Providing he can still do a job and IMO he can then we should keep him around and look to move him on in the summer.

 

[Lilbaz]

Not really as black and white as you're making out though is it?

You make it sound like if we sign someone in January then all will be fine and dandy, how do we know said player is going to settle in straight away, do we have the money for a player who will make a difference? How do we know that player won't pick up an injury etc...

Dembele is currently injured because he twisted his ankle, that's not an recurring injury it's a freak accident which can happen to anyone. We know what Dembele can contribute for Spurs and if he's not first choice we aren't relying on him and it means there's less strain on his body and he can be fresher for when we need him.

At the same time Dembele back on the pitch would also lift the squad...why would they want someone who is still highly thought of by his manager and his team mates completely out of the club? Providing he can still do a job and IMO he can then we should keep him around and look to move him on in the summer.

What do you mean look to move him in the summer? He's out of contract, gone.

 

[Shadydan]

What do you mean look to move him in the summer? He's out of contract, gone.

Point still stands then

 

[Lilbaz]

Point still stands then

We have a shed load of important games coming up in the next couple of months. We looked dead in the second half today no energy.
If we don't bring in one or two we are going to struggle.
Dembele has been good for us but we cannot rely on his fitness and wanyama looks finished.
Seems we've made an offer for rabiot. Would you seriously rather we didn't get him? Or ndombele?