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Mousa Dembele - Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane gets his rightful billing, as Spurs' best striker since (arguably) Jimmy Greaves. As an England forward, he is the heir to greats like Rooney, Shearer, Owen and Lineker, and is the current World Cup Golden Boot winner.
However, despite Kane's goals, there is a reason why Spurs have done well in recent years. This is due to a heightened midfield balance, in large part due to Mousa Dembele's presence.
WHY'S HE'S UNDERRATED?
Any good midfield must have a mix of attributes. As football ultimately is about gaining, holding, and utilising possession well to score goals, the midfield's job is simple. Mids must not just create or retain the ball, or win the ball, but ensure that they hold the energy to provide support to forwards and defenders.
Midfields in good sides must thus balance creativity with brawn or fitness, as too much creativity means that there is little combativeness to win the ball. Too much brawn means that once the ball is lost, it cannot be distributed effectively.
Dembele as a box to box player provides a mix of these attributes and ensures that along with Wanyama and Sissoko, Spurs can retain much midfield battles and provide chances for Kane and their other forwards (like Son, Eriksen, Alli, etc.)
Dembele's skills have also contributed to Belgium's semi-final run in the World Cup, where he beat England (featuring many of his Tottenham teammates) in both the group stage and the Third-Place Play-Off. As part of Belgium's current Golden Generation, he is a critical facet of this, and potential success at Euro 2020 and beyond.
Tottenham's team is arguably the most balanced in the league, and the composition of their midfield - aided by Dembele - ensures they are seldom out-competed in the midfield and are able to be consistent Champions League participants.
Dembele is 31 now, and may well move on from Spurs soon. But he epitomises the modern midfielder, or more appropriately the contemporary midfield footballing structure, via his pace, power, and strength, and passing abilities. It gives a solid footing to protect the defence, control possession, and help Spurs' forward line score and create chances.
