OPINION
For a while it looked as if Spurs had put paid to the doubters. After falling behind at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon they came storming back to take the lead against Unai Emery’s ever-improving Arsenal side.
Following a busy week that saw them conquer both Chelsea and Inter Milan, Mauricio Pochettino’s team looked to be on their way to another famous victory, only for a resounding Arsenal comeback to quash any hopes of a derby day triumph.
One of the key components of the Gunners’ fightback was midfielder Lucas Torreira, who has been a revelation since signing from Sampdoria over the summer.
The combative Uruguayan was so good that he also highlighted how much Mauricio Pochettino needs to invest in another central midfielder.
While Moussa Sissoko has recaptured some semblance of the form that secured him a move to north London in recent weeks, and Eric Dier was vital in bringing Spurs level, Torreira made both of them look a little bit flat.
Moussa Dembele is likely to leave at the end of the season, and Victor Wanyama is a long term absentee with a knee injury, leaving just Harry Winks to cover the central midfield role.
Pochettino should rekindle the £30 million interest the Daily Star reported he had in Bournemouth’s Lewis Cooker the summer to provide a much needed alternative in the centre of the park in January.
Cook has been exemplary this season for Eddie Howe’s side, and his assured passing and willingness to get stuck in is exactly what Spurs need at times.
He was likened to former Spurs player and Balon d’Or winner Luka Modric by Jermain Defoe and how Tottenham need a player like that again.
At just 21, Cook has his whole career ahead of him, and there is no reason why a move to north London wouldn’t herald a bright new dawn for both him and Tottenham.
Daniel Levy must go all-out to make it happen.