Tottenham to manage Dembele’s playing time, says Pochettino

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he still has to manage Mousa Dembele’s playing time despite undergoing surgery on a long-standing football problem at the end of last season.

Dembele barely featured for Tottenham towards the end of last season after a foot problem became unbearable and he conceded after surgery that he will never be completely fit ever again.

The 30-year-old has only started three Premier League games this season and Pochettino has revealed he still has to carefully manage Dembele’s playing time in order to get the best out of the Belgium international.

“It is so important to manage him properly,” The Guardian quote Pochettino as saying in midweek. “We have a very good communication with the doctor, physio, sports science and coaching staff to try to help him because to help him is to help the team.

“He is a player who I have told you many times is, for me, one of the geniuses that I have met in football. It is key to keep him fit and try to provide all the quality that he has to the team. He shares the decisions. That relationship is important in order to help him.”

Dembele has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since Pochettino was appointed Tottenham manager in 2014.

Of the 80 Premier League players that have attempted at least 50 dribbles since the start of last season, Dembele has the best success rate (85.4%).