Although Tottenham Hotspur made significant additions in the final few days of the January transfer window, Ange Postecoglou’s midfield remained essentially untouched.
Rodrigo Bentancur will continue to marshal things in the middle for Tottenham, a player who has become pretty essential for Postecoglou.
Spurs bolstered their defence with the signing of Kevin Danso over the weekend, and their attack will also have an exciting new complexion with Mathys Tel around.
Tel might end up replacing Richarlison pretty immediately as Tottenham’s starting number nine, at least until Dominic Solanke is fit.
But either way, it’s becoming increasingly clear around N17 that Bentancur will be one of the figures around the club who are essential to helping players like Tel settle in north London.
Rodrigo Bentancur is becoming increasingly influential at Tottenham
Football London have just provided an interesting insight into the role Bentancur is beginning to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, an update that may have been missed amid all of the deadline day drama.
According to the report, Spurs staff have pointed to Bentancur as a ‘growing presence’ in Postecoglou’s squad recently.
The 27-year-old is now being recognised as a ‘rapidly developing leader’, a player who has been slightly held back by injuries since he arrived at the club under Antonio Conte.
The midfielder is said to be fairly quiet behind the scenes, and yet he is still emerging as a senior figure in what is a young squad under Postecoglou.
Tottenham only have three players over 30 in their squad right now, explaining why there is scope for someone like Bentancur to step up, who does have 67 caps for Uruguay.
Bentancur has already won 10 major trophies in his career
Interestingly, Troy Deeney thought Bentancur has looked annoyed at Tottenham recently, a midfielder who clearly has high standards on the pitch.
Bentancur’s time with Juventus and Boca Juniors was littered with trophies – he’s already won 10 major honours in his career to date.
And in truth, the 27-year-old may have believed that he would have already added to that collection in north London by now, especially given that he arrived under Conte, who was also a serial-winner.
Either way, Spurs have the opportunity to change their history in regards to their trophy wins this season.
And both Danso and Tel have arrived ahead of two vitally important cup ties for Postecogolou and his team, two of the hardest away trips possible in English football right now.