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Ex-Player Watch Player Watch: Mousa Dembele

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
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Well we’ve seen a not fit Dembele before and he was a shadow of himself. When he got back into match shape he was dominating midfields again. I’d like to give Alderweireld the same benefit and see him come back to form because on form he is the best defender in the league (including Jan).

I don’t think we have an option that can play at Dembele’s level. We all know it’s something we need to add so I’m happy if Dembele stays and gets fit while we search for suitable additions.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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Well we’ve seen a not fit Dembele before and he was a shadow of himself. When he got back into match shape he was dominating midfields again. I’d like to give Alderweireld the same benefit and see him come back to form because on form he is the best defender in the league (including Jan).

I don’t think we have an option that can play at Dembele’s level. We all know it’s something we need to add so I’m happy if Dembele stays and gets fit while we search for suitable additions.
How long can this search last? It's not been going on for 2 summer windows, while Dembeles fitness continues to deteriorate.

It was obvious to everyone and their mother that this was the most glaring position of need.
 

KaNoUtE9

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2004
440
618
https://www.buzzsport.fr/buzz/foot/mercato-ol-une-cartouche-pour-un-transfert-a-15-millions-71025

Google translated.........



Mercato - OL: A cartridge for a transfer to 15 million!

Buzz

Football

28 Jul 2018, 2 hrs 01 min

Olympique Lyonnais have positioned themselves on the side of the Premier League for a promising midfielder. A track to watch closely.

Ambitious, Olympique Lyonnais laid the groundwork for England. More precisely in Tottenham, where the Gones have views on midfielder Moussa Dembele. A first contact was made with the entourage of the player and the Lyon speech seems more to the player.

Lyon is patient ...

Lyon has not sent an offer to Tottenham. Jean-Michel Aulas's club simply took information and positioned themselves with the player. The goal is to be able to draw if the Dembele option becomes the priority of the Lyonnais. This is not yet the case but if Lyon decides to move, it will take out at least 15 million euros.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
We seem to have been drastically under prepared for him leaving so I suspect he’ll stay now.

So much for our scouting department if they can’t find a single central midfielder good enough to replace him or provide something different to him
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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We seem to have been drastically under prepared for him leaving so I suspect he’ll stay now.

So much for our scouting department if they can’t find a single central midfielder good enough to replace him or provide something different to him
Pure insanity that there is a perfect replacement in Kovacic literally asking to leave Real Madrid and we're doing nothing to try to bring him in? Of course we could be doing it behind the scenes but not even trying would be foolish.
 

hellava_tough

Well-Known Member
Apr 21, 2005
9,429
12,382
Has there been any suggestion that Poch is ready to put his faith in a youth-teamer, this season?

If not, yeah our recruitment system doesn't seem to be doing a great job.

(although the transfer window isn't shut yet)
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
42,338
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How long can this search last? It's not been going on for 2 summer windows, while Dembeles fitness continues to deteriorate.

It was obvious to everyone and their mother that this was the most glaring position of need.
To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.

It’s not about replacing like for like though is it? Another top draw midfielder will be just as good, if not better, but just in a different way with a different set of skills.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
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To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.
Another season with that crop is going to be another season that ultimately ends in disappointment and having this same conversation for the 3rd year in a row.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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It’s not about replacing like for like though is it? Another top draw midfielder will be just as good, if not better, but just in a different way with a different set of skills.
I'm not even talking like for like but anyone on the level of Dembele is not easy to replace.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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Another season with that crop is going to be another season that ultimately ends in disappointment and having this same conversation for the 3rd year in a row.
I'm not sure how you could be so sure that one of our youngsters won't break through this season. If Winks can get over his injury I fully expect him to push on this season and be a first team regular. That's not to say we shouldn't get another central midfielder still to add depth and competition.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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I'm not sure how you could be so sure that one of our youngsters won't break through this season. If Winks can get over his injury I fully expect him to push on this season and be a first team regular. That's not to say we shouldn't get another central midfielder still to add depth and competition.
If we want to win something we need to bring in a good CM, anything less is unacceptable. It is the most important position on the field and is by far our biggest weakness. I'm not ready to hand over the keys to Winks who can seemingly only play half a season before his ankle gives out and Onomah who has not once looked like a player suitable for this level we are at.
 

Johnny J

Not the Kiwi you need but the one you deserve
Aug 18, 2012
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I'm not even talking like for like but anyone on the level of Dembele is not easy to replace.
I disagree. Noone has been beating down our door for Dembele over the last few years, as far as I know. I doubt we can get a like for like replacement, but that's OK, because we don't need one.
If we want to win something we need to bring in a good CM, anything less is unacceptable. It is the most important position on the field and is by far our biggest weakness. I'm not ready to hand over the keys to Winks who can seemingly only play half a season before his ankle gives out and Onomah who has not once looked like a player suitable for this level we are at.
We have great forwards. We lack a Modric-esque CM to knit everything together. Dembele is strong and skilful but he slows down our attack and has no vision with passing.
 

dtxspurs

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Dec 28, 2017
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slight exaggeration do you think?
Not at all, that group stalled and disappointed us when it mattered most. Dembele provides little offensive assistance and we need to grow as an offensive team. I'm tired of lining up 2 defensive minded midfielders against freaking Southampton at home.
 
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