Ex-Player Watch Player Watch: Mousa Dembele

[markiespurs]

He is a phenomenal player in my opinion. One of the best I've ever seen when he wants it and is at it. If he could improve in the final third a bit as far as taking more risks (shooting, through balls, etc) as opposed to playing safe and going sideways/backwards then I think he would establish himself as one of the best players in the Prem.

I think this is exactly right with Dembele, it's certainly not a skill or technique problem, he is strong with and without the ball and his dribbling skill is amongst the best in the Prem, he has even shown that he can shoot from distance and score.

His problem is a mental one in that he doesn't tend to take risks with his passing or shooting and almost always goes for the safe option, for me, the safe mindset that he has makes him one of the most frustrating players I've seen in a Spurs shirt.

Whether it's a confidence thing or something that's been drummed into him from an early age I don't know, but if Poch can get him taking a few more risks then we will have one hell of a player at the club.

 

[dagraham]

Not looking to excuse his obvious flaws but during his career he started at CF, moved back to attacking midfield, moved to defensive midfield for us and is now playing in an attacking mid position. Some time in the role and learning the positioning more would surely see him improve.

True, but one has to ask why successive managers moved him further back down the pitch during his career?

 

[yiddo23]

They were dumb?

 

[Derp]

True, but one has to ask why successive managers moved him further back down the pitch during his career?

Because he isn't creative enough or scores enough goals. If he did he wouldn't play for us. He is 27 and i don't think he will suddenly turn into a scoring machine over night. I think we tried to turn him into a box 2 box player, but it just didn't work out. I think it works right now because Eriksen also plays as a CAM and Kane scores a shitload of goals.

Look at our first goal against Liverpool. I just can't see Dembele doing that one-two stuff that Lamela and Eriksen did.

 

[dagraham]

Because he isn't creative enough or scores enough goals. If he did he wouldn't play for us. He is 27 and i don't think he will suddenly turn into a scoring machine over night. I think we tried to turn him into a box 2 box player, but it just didn't work out. I think it works right now because Eriksen also plays as a CAM and Kane scores a shitload of goals.

Look at our first goal against Liverpool. I just can't see Dembele doing that one-two stuff that Lamela and Eriksen did.

Yes, quite.

 

[double0]

What does Dembele's game need to become world class.

Question to all

 

[Shadydan]

What does Dembele's game need to become world class.

Question to all

He needs a better end product

 

[DaSpurs]

What does Dembele's game need to become world class.

Question to all

Pace, agility, vision for incisiveness, and a shot.

He said in an interview once that most of his practice growing up came from playing futsal on a hard surface with no goals. This makes complete sense, as he can beat a man better than anyone in the league, but lacks the incisive pass and especially lacks shooting ability.

I think he works well in this current role though, but he's got to have more pace and stretch-inducers around him if it's to work consistently. Otherwise, he'll continue having to be forced to play the ball sideways and backwards after making a clever move forward.

 

[Spurger King]

What does Dembele's game need to become world class.

Question to all

Nothing that can be trained. As @Shadydan says, he needs a better end product. He'd also need a smarter footballing brain. Oh and some consistency would be nice too.

 

[JerryGarcia]

Just watched this Dembele video paying particular attention to the defenders, it's pretty funny some of the ways he makes them fall over themselves and their reactions when he's gone past them.

 

[Chris12]

What I find amazing is that he always goes to the left, little jink and more players should know that by now but yet they still can't get it off him

 

[UncleBuck]

True, but one has to ask why successive managers moved him further back down the pitch during his career?

Fulham bought him as a striker!

 

[UncleBuck]

He needs a better end product

Or have more confidence to have a ping from 25yds, we all know he can do it!

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

Don't you lot remember when he tore us a new one playing for Fulham as striker ? That day at craven cottage I think he got two and was unplayable. Top top player that we need to get on the ball at every opportunity. Summary for me is the fact he played in the 10 role against Sheff u, west brom, arsenal and Liverpool and been the best player on the pitch in three of those if not four. Oh and he's only played the 10 role 4 times. You will do for me moussa. Class act

 

[DaSpurs]

What I find amazing is that he always goes to the left, little jink and more players should know that by now but yet they still can't get it off him

Actually one of his better moves in recent history was his move to the right against Koscielny and got himself into the box to have a shot. No doubt this cat can dribble.

 

[Norwegian Spurs fan]

Dembele seems to be back to his best. Gliding past players with ease and hurting the opposite team. Dembele is so strong and the change of his position, playing further up the field, seems to be a wise choice. Keep up the good work Mousa! Consistency is the key woord here. Great game against Liverpool thats for sure.

 

[JerryGarcia]

What I find amazing is that he always goes to the left, little jink and more players should know that by now but yet they still can't get it off him

I think the defenders know he can go any which way he feels like at the time. If they block the left he'll just go even further left of dribble round a few other players and out the other side. He's such an entertaining player to watch when he's in this kind of form.

 

[prawnsandwich]

I thought he was great v Liverpool. Maybe MOTM?
But FFS
SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MetalFace D]

I thought he was great v Liverpool. Maybe MOTM?
But FFS
SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For once i can agree with you. He really should shoot more often, i still remember that belter of a shot he took that just hit the post -- forgot what match it was though.

 

[joseph]

Poch should just insist that he either takes at least 4 shots at goal in every game or he is out of the starting eleven. He has a good shot and usually accurate too. Very special player let down by his mindset.