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Tottenham shocker: Eric Dier’s struggles could bring Nabil Bentaleb back to Spurs

By Rucker Haringey

Gelsenkirchen, Germany 06.11.2016, 1. Bundesliga 10. Spieltag, FC Schalke 04 - SV Werder Bremen, 3:1, Nabil Bentaleb (S04) in aktion (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Gelsenkirchen, Germany 06.11.2016, 1. Bundesliga 10. Spieltag, FC Schalke 04 - SV Werder Bremen, 3:1, Nabil Bentaleb (S04) in aktion (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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There may be a way for Nabil Bentaleb to return to Tottenham

For weeks, it’s seemed that Nabil Bentaleb leaving Tottenham on a permanent basis this year was a virtual certainty. Now, the struggles of Eric Dier have opened up a possible lifeline for the Algerian’s return to White Hart Lane.

The chances of a Bentaleb return are still remote, but they’re far higher than they were just a few matches ago. With every poor performance Eric Dier turns in, the possibility for a Bentaleb return increases ever so slightly.

The contrast between the performance of the two talented midfielders this season is very significant. Dier has taken a huge step backwards after emerging on the Premier League scene last season. This year, he’s only managed a Whoscored.com player rating average of 6.64 in his 11 league appearances.

Supporters of the English international will correctly point out that a significant portion of his appearances have occurred at the centre back position. He’s been forced to move back in the lineup due to the injury to Toby Alderweireld. It’s impossible to measure how much negative impact that’s had on Dier’s play.

However, it’s not as if he was lighting the world on fire when Alderweireld was fit. He’d already lost his job in the starting XI to Victor Wanyama when the Belgian went out of the lineup. Many, myself included, thought he was simply fatigued after his efforts for England this summer. Unfortunately, any rest he’s received hasn’t seemed to add any effectiveness to his game.

Bentaleb also struggled for Schalke early in the year. Prominent German publications were openly slating the loanee for his weak play out on the pitch. Unlike Dier, Bentaleb’s play has improved significantly since his early struggles.

He’s now the Bundesliga club’s fourth highest rated player per Whoscored.com. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’s been Schalke’s best player since his ugly start to the campaign. He’s looked very confident in the heart of the club’s midfield and he’s even managed to provide five goals in 16 early appearances. Tottenham could certainly use that sort of scoring punch from their midfield at the moment.

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As I said, Bentaleb returning to Tottenham is still a longshot despite it being a logical move for Spurs. He clearly fell out with manager Mauricio Pochettino and it’s unlikely that either man wants to work with the other in the future. There’s also the possibility that Schalke already have an airtight purchase clause in the original loan agreement. Tottenham simply might not be able to turn back.

Still, based on purely the football logic of it all, Bentaleb returning to Tottenham could be a huge lift for Spurs. If Eric Dier’s struggles continue, Pochettino may have to rethink his opinion about the enigmatic midfielder.

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