A player as important to Tottenham as Eriksen used to be

Tottenham have found their new pivot in the centre of the park, with Giovani Lo Celso slowly staking his claim as the club’s primary playmaker. 

Lo Celso’s first half-year at the club saw more challenges than on a season of MasterChef. But Lo Celso battled like a hardened, determined professional. People had their doubts, some of whom prematurely giving up on the talented Argentinian.

The 23-year-old has come of age in expeditious fashion. It was clear from the off: Jose Mourinho, like Mauricio Pochettino before, has behemoth intentions where the diminutive Argentinian is concerned. Everyone knew Lo Celso was a football puritan, whose technique and skills are amongst the best in the Premier League.

In recent weeks, that irrepressible skill has come to the fore, with Lo Celso putting on a clinic in the centre of the park. But what’s more impressive – and unexpected – is his ability to cover space, track back, tackle and fight tooth and nail physically with some of the most robust around. Who knew Lo Celso has the tenacity of a badger and work rate of a wolverine.

His low centre of gravity allows him to shimmy and shake while snapping at the heels of anyone he wants to take. While as skilled as Christian Eriksen, the 23-year-old is fitted with the intangibles the Dane never had.

Rare are the days when you hear about an Argentinian blessed with as much talent and creative flair as work ethic. If Lo Celso gains confidence and is continually galvanized and mentored by the gaffer, there is no ceiling to his growth.

It’s an incredibly exciting prospect for Spurs, who haven’t, since Mousa Dembele, had a complete player patrolling the centre of the park. Of course I’m not comparing Lo Celso to Dembele, but the former has all the trimmings to dominate England’s top division.

Though there is an important caveat: Lo Celso’s health is of the utmost importance. Already injured twice this year, one has to wonder whether the ailments suffered are uncommon, unfortunate events, or a part of a common theme for an injury prone starlet.

It will have to be the former for the ingenious midfielder to enjoy a long, prosperous career with Spurs.