Tottenham sold Dembele and are about to flog Eriksen – but Lo Celso could replace both
SPURS sold Mousa Dembele this time last year and are about to lose Christian Eriksen.
But in Giovani Lo Celso, they might just have a player who can slot in for both.
The Argentine, 23, was instrumental here against Southampton and was rewarded with songs of praise by the travelling supporters.
Tottenham have lacked a central midfielder who has the ability to drive the ball forward with power and precision since Dembele was flogged to China.
While Eriksen has been their source of creativity for over half a decade but is on the verge of a switch to Inter Milan.
The Dane was not even in the squad on the South Coast and his plane ticket to Milan is surely booked.
If ever there was a time for one of the current crop to step up to fill the void, it is now.
Lo Celso has been doing just that since the turn of the year with some hugely promising performances.
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And the Argentinian followed it up here with an excellent display that will have had fans drooling.
He created Heung-Min Son’s opener with a Dembele-esque mazy dribble, dancing past four Southampton players from his own half before giving it to Erik Lamela who teed up Son.
And minutes later he showed the kind of vision Eriksen has provided since 2013 with an inch-perfect ball over the Saints defence which Son volleyed over.
Spurs supporters have had to be patient with Lo Celso, who suffered a two-month lay-off with a hip injury early on after arriving on loan from Real Betis.
But he now looks to have adapted to English football, playing not as the No10 or wide player most presumed he would be when he joined, but further back in the heart of midfield.
Spurs fans belted out his name in recognition of his excellent work here - and ramped it up when he fell to the ground after copping a loose arm to the throat by Ryan Bertrand as the pair vied for a high ball.
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Tottenham will be obliged to buy Lo Celso for the set fee of £60million if they finish in the Champions League.
But the way the 23-year-old is going, fans will be calling on the club to sign him up even if they do not make the top four.
Lo Celso also thought he had his second FA Cup goal of the season just before the half hour - but his shot went in off an offside Son.
