AVB has found new talisman in Dembele

After an underwhelming start to the season, Tottenham Hotspur‘s perenially sullen-faced manager finally received his first reason to smile in months, as his side dominated, and deservedly won their game against Reading, handing the North London outfit their first victory of the new season.

However, while Jermain Defoe took the plaudits with his two-goal returns, the performance of one of their new signings was particularly encouraging, as Moussa Dembele demonstrated with much aplomb that there could be life after Luka Modric after all.

The 25-year old’s £15 million release clause was triggered by Tottenham manager Villas-Boas two days before the end of the transfer window, as the Portuguese manager saw the Belgian as the next best option to replace the Real Madrid-bound Modric after being priced out for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho.

However, despite being the manager’s second-choice, Dembele has shown in his early displays for the Spurs that he is not punching above his weight at White Hart Lane, and has seamlessly fit in at the North London club alongside Sandro, who has been a regular this season due to Scott Parker’s injury. Filling the void left by Modric’s exit, Dembele has quickly started to assert himself at White Hart Lane, possibly even offering more than his predecessor did.

Making driving runs right through the centre of midfield against the Premier League newcomers, Dembele helped increase the tempo of Tottenham’s attacking movement, while also having the tactical nous to sit back when required. The Belgian’s ground coverage also helped fullbacks Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton bomb down the flanks, while also linking well with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Sandro, who in combination with Dembele switched positions in midfield rather efficaciously.

Expected to be played throughout the season as one of the two deeper-lying midfielders in Villas-Boas’ 4-2-3-1 formation, the Belgian would offer a significantly higher defensive influence than Modric. Also, Dembele’s incredibly high 89% pass completion last season in an attacking midfield role for Fulham, is ample proof of his distribution abilities.

Dembele’s flexibility is also expected to allow Villas-Boas to make a transition to a 4-3-3 formation when required, a shape that the Portuguese manager insisted on using both at Porto and Chelsea, and could be ready to implement again, given Tottenham’s pace through the side.

“Moussa’s been absolutely fantastic,” said winger Gareth Bale after the encounter. “He scored on his debut, played unbelievable yesterday and he’s been a great addition to the squad. Obviously it’s not nice to see your big players go but when you bring in somebody like Moussa, I’m sure he can fill Modric’s boots and more.”

With former Fulham teammate Clint Dempsey expected to see more playing time in the coming weeks, Dembele will benefit from resuming a partnership that provided rich returns for the Cottagers last season. He might have arrived to the Premier League as a forward, but Dembele surely looks a worthy successor to Modric’s throne as the bedrock of the Spurs’ side in the years to come.