2. Mousa Dembele
No Tottenham player will feel the absence of Eric Dier more than Belgian midfielder Mousa Dembele. He will need to play a flawless game to break up the Dortmund attack and give his side a chance at victory.
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It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dembele has been Tottenham’s best player on the season when fit. He has an uncanny ability to hold on to the ball under pressure and can really calm the match down for Spurs. That quality could be vital against a Dortmund side that will look to press Tottenham at every opportunity.
In some matches I worry that Dembele doesn’t get forward enough to maximize his ability, but I’m not very concerned with his offensive output in this match. He needs to stay at home defensively and provide a real shield for the back four. I don’t want to see him in an advanced position very often.
This is one of those matches where Dembele’s ability to take the air out of the ball might actually suit Tottenham. His ability to break up the Dortmund attack and transition it into a successful possession will be crucial for Spurs’ chances.
Next: 1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang