Have Tottenham Finally Found their new Dembele and Wanyama?

Light at the end of the Tunnel for Spurs?

While it has been some time and has taken a lot of twists and turns, it seems like – fingers crossed – Tottenham Hotspur may have finally found their new Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama pairing in Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre Højbjerg.

Tanguy Near Mirror for Mousa

Even before he transitioned into the backend of the midfield recently for Tottenham Tanguy Ndombele reminded some of Mousa Dembele. Not just the similarities in the last name, but rather the similarities in their games is at times striking. Just like Mousa Dembele, Tanguy is excellent with the ball at his feet and can extremely difficult to pry the ball away from. Both players use their bodies to their full advantage and both could play almost any pass at any time from anywhere. The combination of power and grace they both bring is awesome to see at times.

However, they are different players as well. Dembele was a very underrated defender who was able to make up for a lot of Tottenham mistakes with his ability to recover and then tackle the ball. While we have see Ndombele do some pressing and make some tackles that same ability to track back and hunt down opponents is something the Frenchman is still working on.

Alternatively, Mousa Dembele was once a striker yet did not score very many goals for Tottenham with only 10 goals  and 12 assists in some 249 matches and over 16,000 minutes according to transfermarkt.com. That is a goal or assist once every 11 matches or approximately every 730 minutes. Tanguy Ndombele is more refined offensively and is already contributing at a higher rate. With 8 goals and 7 assists in 58 matches and some 3250 minutes, Ndombele is providing a goal or assist once every 4 games or every 217 minutes and his goal against Sheffield was sublime.

Tottenham certainly miss the defense Mousa was bringing but Tanguy appears to have that as something he can grow into doing. When it comes to defense, however, it is his partner how brings the thunder.

Pierre Højbjerg brings some familiar qualities

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was brought in to add some sting to the Tottenham midfield and help with more of the defensive duties. Ala Victor Wanyama’s role Højbjerg is an expert at ball recovery. Further, Højbjerg is the enforcer for Spurs something that Wanyama did with great aplomb for a number of seasons.

Both players came to Spurs from Southampton and break-up plays, recover the ball, and then move it on extremely well. While neither player will be mistaken for Kevin De Bruyne with their passing both aremore than adequate passers. In fact other teams underestimate their passing ability and both leverage the fact. Besides the physical abilities which are so similar to the two players, the mental side and leadership they both bring is similar as well.

Both Wanyama and now Højbjerg are the kind of players that others listen too. Maybe it is their size or their style or the relentless energy they bring to every play or practice that draws others attention. Ultimately, Wanyama was and now Højbjerg is a leader within the clubhouse and more importantly on the pitch.

Both players can often be seen arms outstretched with fingers pointing as they are barking orders to others to get them into position and ready for the next play. Almost like middle linebackers in football, both Wanyama and Højbjerg bring that coach on the field knowledge and understanding that helps make everyone better. If Højbjerg is in position it is likely other players will be too.

More Staying Power for Spurs?

Ultimately, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama never really got to play as many matches together as they should have. Both suffered more than they would have liked with injuries moving them in and out of the line-up. Further, Dembele was already 29 when the 25-year-old Wanyama joined Spurs back in 2016 and age started catching up with him.

If we look at both Ndombele (24) and Højbjerg (25) if they can stay healthy the next few years should be the best of their careers. If the duo can help match the heights of the best days of Wanyama and Dembele Spurs will have done well. Most importantly, finding the balance and stability in the deep midfield Spurs have been missing should help to protect the defense and connect with the offense giving life to Spurs attack.

Only time will tell how well Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre Højbjerg end up stacking up, but all the tools are their for the two to be great.