A section of Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to claim Mousa Dembele should no longer be a regular starter this season.
Dembele has started Spurs’ last two matches after being a second-half substitute in the first two of the campaign following his World Cup exertions for Belgium.
Some Spurs followers believe the 31-year-old midfielder does not look effective this season as he has in previous years, and must be eased out of the starting XI by Mauricio Pochettino.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below.
COMMENTARY:
Looking at social media, it appears Dembele’s reputation has plummeted in just a matter of days. From the midfield monster who put Manchester United to the sword, to the blunt instrument whose legs have gone and needs dumping to the sidelines. Sure, Dembele was average in Sunday’s defeat to Watford, but he was not alone in having an off day. Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli were no better, if not even worse. Dembele was not also helped by a system in which he was the only real central midfielder and his closest ally was Eriksen, a gifted playmaker but nobody’s idea of a midfield general. Given that he blew out 31 candles on his birthday cake in July, it is safe to assume that the player who made his professional football bow aged 16 will not start every match this season. But he remains a crucial member of Pochettino’s squad, and every other top Premier League club would love to have a player of such class in their ranks.
He's done offers very little. can't run, can't tackle, can't pass but because he barges a few players off the ball some seem to rate him
— . (@yidoo90) September 3, 2018
He needs a couple of games to be as his best. However, he also needs to play alongside Dier/Wanyama to be able to perform. The team was unbalanced yesterday with him as the only DM. It´s not a fair game to judge him.
— HF Löfgren (@hflofgren) September 3, 2018
Think he'll be off to China in January, proved yesterday that he longer has the legs for 2 games a week and with our schedule this season we're going to need plenty of players who can do that
— Richard Chandler (@rich_chandler) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/deano311984/status/1036569503793074176
He has a part to play in the squad but starting him on his own in CM is reckless. He needs someone alongside.
— Nate (@stateofcoys) September 3, 2018
– Breaks our forward momentum nearly every attack;
– consistently unable to add penetration to attacks;
– poor shooting;
– persistently gives away dangerous free kicks on edge of own box;
– cannot mark at corners.
Negative for the team, true for past 3 seasons.
Useless. Get rid.— James (@jmrose71) September 3, 2018
Still a game management option. 60 mins in. But not a starter without another CM.
— Jim Howick (@JimHowick) September 3, 2018
Agreed.He was by himself against a strong, powerful midfield with legs, that was tactical suicide by Poch.
— Dean Sinclair (@flace1) September 3, 2018
The fouls he gives away at crucial times in crucial areas are just too common place. Been a great player in Poch era but Winks deserves his chance
— Dave Egan (@David_Egan2010) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/MARTIN_THFC/status/1036542286119804929
Poss seen best of him -quite obvious in the 2ndhalf he should not hav been on the pitch his creativity was next to zero &with the opposition all over us &outmuscling us and likes if Dier Wanyama (and winks ) on the bench it was a no brainer -when it went 1-1Poch shud have acted
— Phil K (@philkling) September 3, 2018