Tottenham have struggled to fill their defensive midfield slot since former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama left the north London club.
A Tottenham Hotspur fan is up in arms as to why the club have never managed to sign a proper defensive midfielder since the departure of former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama.
Wanyama spent four and a half years at Tottenham, during which time he helped them reach the final of the 2019 Champions League.
His last few seasons were blighted with injuries, but his displays whenever fit left an indelible mark among fans, as he became a cult hero for his tenacious displays in the middle of the park protecting the Tottenham defence.
Alongside former footballer Moussa Dembele, he gave the attacking talent including Dele Ali, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung Min and Harry Kane the platform to express themselves.
Since he left, Tottenham have had issues addressing the engine room, which has had an effect on their inconsistent performances over the years.
Under new coach Ange Postecoglu, the club have created a reputation for playing an aggressive high line, but it can leave them vulnerable to being exposed with through balls though the middle of the pack or long balls.
Wanyama used to be an expert at sniffing those line breaking passes and stopping them, which would help protect the defence.
Following their smacking against Newcastle United last weekend, where this vulnerability was exposed, the fan was quick to question why the club have never managed to sort out the issue.
“We ain’t got a DM. I have never said (Yvess)Bissouma is a DM. He is an eight,” Popular Youtuber Expressions Oozing said on his podcast
“We need a DM. We need a Rodri. We need someone that will sit. We need a Wanyama. We need a Lisandro. We need someone that will sit and do the dirty work. We ain’t got that.
Expressions was also quick to claim that their current options were never as good at doing that job as the former Harambee Stars midfielder.
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“Bissouma, (Rodrigo) Bentancur, (Pape Matar) Sarr, these players are all playing in the same position. Hojberg is our only DM and even him, he is good enough coming on but not good enough to start.”
As Tottenham continues to search for stability in midfield, the absence of a reliable defensive midfielder in the mold of Victor Wanyama remains a glaring issue. Only time will tell if the club can address this longstanding problem and return to their former defensive solidity.