Moussa Dembélé: Your Favorite Player's Favorite Player

There are some players who are criminally underrated, appreciated only by those who truly understand the nuances of football. Moussa Dembélé is one of them. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder wasn’t the one racking up goals or assists, nor did he make many headlines. But ask almost any player who shared a pitch with him, and they'll tell you the same thing: Moussa Dembélé was the best player they ever played with or against.

From Harry Kane to Kevin De Bruyne, from Antonio Rüdiger to Heung-Min Son, so many elite players have spoken about Dembélé’s unique gifts. Dele Alli called him a "magician," Harry Winks described him as "untouchable," and even Victor Wanyama, a powerhouse himself, admitted that training with Dembélé was a humbling experience. Antonio Rüdiger, who faced him during his time in the Premier League, said that trying to take the ball off Dembélé was an impossible task. 

When Brute Strength Meets Elegance 

One of Dembélé’s standout traits was his dribbling. While wingers and attacking midfielders are often the ones known for taking players on, Dembélé did it in midfield, against some of the strongest and smartest players in the world. The way he glided past opponents was mesmerizing. It wasn’t flashy; he didn’t need tricks or stepovers. Instead, with an incredible combination of balance, control, and strength, he would glide past players as if they weren’t even there. 

His dribbling wasn’t just for show – it had purpose. It allowed Spurs to break through pressure, progress the ball up the pitch, and dominate the midfield. Even when two or three players tried to close him down, he’d somehow find a way out, often leaving defenders trailing in his wake. 

Standing at 6’1" with a strong frame, Dembélé wasn’t just technically gifted – he was physically dominant. It was near impossible to push him off the ball. Players would bounce off him like rubber, and even the most aggressive midfielders struggled to dispossess him. Yet, despite his sheer power, he played the game with an effortless grace, making everything look easy. 

The Pochettino Era and His Unique Role 

Under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs played an intense, high-pressing style of football that required technically gifted and physically dominant midfielders. Dembélé was the heart of that midfield. He wasn’t a defensive midfielder, nor was he an attacking playmaker. Instead, he played a unique hybrid role that made him invaluable. He protected the defense, started attacks, and carried the ball forward in a way few others could. 

During Spurs’ best years under Pochettino, from 2015 to 2018, Dembélé was at his peak. He was instrumental in helping Spurs challenge for the Premier League title, reach the Champions League knockout rounds, and play some of the most entertaining football in Europe. His ability to dictate the tempo and keep possession under pressure was irreplaceable. 

One of Dembélé’s greatest performances came in the Champions League Round of 16 against Juventus in 2018. Up against a world-class midfield featuring Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanić, and a young Rodrigo Bentancur, Dembélé was the best player on the pitch. Spurs went 2-0 down early, but Dembélé took control of the game, bossing the midfield with his strength and elegance. 

His ability to retain possession, shrug off challenges, and progress the ball forward was crucial in Spurs’ comeback. By the end of the game, Spurs had drawn 2-2 in Turin, a result that stunned the football world. Juventus had been completely outplayed for large stretches, and Dembélé was at the heart of it all. Even though Spurs ultimately lost the tie in the second leg, that first-leg performance remains one of the greatest midfield displays in recent Champions League history. 

The Legacy of Moussa Dembélé 

Dembélé’s influence wasn’t measured in stats, but in the way he made his teammates better. He gave Spurs control in midfield, allowing the likes of Kane, Son, and Eriksen to flourish in attack. His ability to resist the press allowed Spurs to build from the back, while his defensive contributions helped shield the backline. 

Injuries eventually took their toll, and he left Spurs in 2019 for a move to the Chinese Super League. But his impact on the club and his peers remains undeniable. Whenever former teammates and opponents talk about him, their admiration is clear. 

Moussa Dembélé may not have had the highlight reels of a flashy winger or the goal tallies of a prolific striker, but those who played with him know just how special he was. He was, as many have said, your favorite player’s favorite player. 

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