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5 things Tottenham learned from the Borussia Dortmund loss

By Rucker Haringey

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Joshua Onomah of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Mats Hummels (L) and Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (R) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Joshua Onomah of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Mats Hummels (L) and Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (R) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on March 10, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Dortmund’s Polish defender Lukasz Piszczek vies with Tottenham´s Nacer Chadli during the UEFA Europe League Round of 16 first leg football match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspurs in Dortmund , western Germany on March 10, 2016. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ / AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Dortmund’s Polish defender Lukasz Piszczek vies with Tottenham´s Nacer Chadli during the UEFA Europe League Round of 16 first leg football match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspurs in Dortmund , western Germany on March 10, 2016. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ / AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. Nacer Chadli is not a striker

Nacer Chadli continues to be one of the most frustrating players at Tottenham. Despite having the body type and skill to be a reasonable back-up for Harry Kane, he proved today that he can’t be counted on to lead the attack against any reasonable opponent.

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Simply put, Chadli was atrocious against Dortmund. He failed to impact the game in any real way on either offense or defense. He couldn’t hold up play to get Spurs out of their own half and he failed to effectively press the Dortmund defense when they dallied on the ball.

If Spurs were able to give out a least valuable player award for the match, the hefty Belgian winger would get my vote. He acted as if he didn’t even care what was happening out on the pitch. In a huge match in a stadium filled with emotion, Chadli shrank away from the moment.

Time will tell if Chadli is able to find a real home in Pochettino’s plans at Tottenham, but I certainly wouldn’t bet on it. He’s not tough enough to play as a stand-alone striker or industrious enough to flourish in the attacking midfield. He may very well be out the door this summer.

Next: 2. Tom Carroll just isn't good enough

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